Social Action Model
Goals
Change in power and structures
Both the process and the task are critical to social action. Often a specific issue and organization is the target for change. The information reviewed in the assessment focuses on policies and practices that continue to disempower and oppress certain members of the community (a marginalized group).
Assumptions
Social injustice
Collection and presentation of data is subjective and focused on the presenting issue and its affects on a marginalized group. This would include evidence that this group typically has limited access or opportunity to equal participation in their communities.
Change Strategy
Mobilize people around an issue
Involving the oppressed or disenfranchised population in the assessment of the impact of an issue in order to raise awareness and involvement in the strategies to address the issue. Focus groups and other processes (popular education) assist in this.
Change Tactics
Conflict
The data collected is presented in ways that directly challenge the system.
Community Worker (CW) Role
Advocate/Activist
The CW role is to create opportunities for members to participate, be heard and make decisions in community activities and other systems that effect their quality of life.
Medium of Change
Organizing political processes
Organizing people to collectively deal politically with the system is the medium of change. This may also occur by building coalitions.
Orientation Toward Power Structure(s)
Power structure as external target of action
Power is seen as being wielded by an oppressive force against the marginalized group. Those holding the power must be coerced or overturned to have the group's needs met.
Boundary Definition of the Community
A segment of the community
The group is a component of the larger community and the success of the larger community is often at the expense of this group.
Assumptions Regarding Interests of Community Sub-groups
Conflicting interests which are not easily reconcilable; scarce resources
It is assumed that interest of the larger community and the group are irreconcilable without drastic action, because it is in the self-interest of some parties to maintain the power.
Conception of the Client Population or Constituency
Victims
Members of the group are seen as "victims of the system"
Conception of Client Role
Employers, constituents, members
The organizer is seen as an employee and servant of the people.
Adapted from Rothman, J., & Tropman, E., (1987). Models of community organization and macro practice perspectives: Their mixing and phasing. Strategies of community organizations.