Hardback : $258.00
This title is a classic work on social reform. It is an account of the origins and development of community action from its beginnings in the Ford Foundation Gray Area Programs and the President's Committee on Juvenile Delinquency, through the rise and decline of the War on Poverty and the Model Cities program. In the ruthlessly impartial examination of various poverty programs, two social scientists one British, one American--explain why programs of such size and complexity have only a minimal chance of success. They describe the realities of reform and point up how the conservatism of bureaucracy, the rivalries among political and administrative jurisdictions, and the apathy of the poor have often hindered national and local efforts. On the other hand, they show how these obstacles can be overcome by an imaginative combination of leadership, democratic participation, and scientific analysis.
This second edition also contains a new chapter that was not included in the first edition. This new chapter, tries to set the study in a broader context: first, by interpreting the political motives and constraints that led to the adoption of community action as a principal strategy of a nationwide war on poverty and second, by discussing the underlying weaknesses of democracy that community action implied and sought to tackle.
Distinguished by an analysis of the major critics of community action, the book provides a balanced perspective of the movement against its many foes. It is important reading for anyone engaged in planning or community action, whether as organizer, consultant, official, or politician.
Show moreThis title is a classic work on social reform. It is an account of the origins and development of community action from its beginnings in the Ford Foundation Gray Area Programs and the President's Committee on Juvenile Delinquency, through the rise and decline of the War on Poverty and the Model Cities program. In the ruthlessly impartial examination of various poverty programs, two social scientists one British, one American--explain why programs of such size and complexity have only a minimal chance of success. They describe the realities of reform and point up how the conservatism of bureaucracy, the rivalries among political and administrative jurisdictions, and the apathy of the poor have often hindered national and local efforts. On the other hand, they show how these obstacles can be overcome by an imaginative combination of leadership, democratic participation, and scientific analysis.
This second edition also contains a new chapter that was not included in the first edition. This new chapter, tries to set the study in a broader context: first, by interpreting the political motives and constraints that led to the adoption of community action as a principal strategy of a nationwide war on poverty and second, by discussing the underlying weaknesses of democracy that community action implied and sought to tackle.
Distinguished by an analysis of the major critics of community action, the book provides a balanced perspective of the movement against its many foes. It is important reading for anyone engaged in planning or community action, whether as organizer, consultant, official, or politician.
Show morePeter Marris helped establish the British Institute of Community Studies in London.
-An intelligent analysis . . . a stimulating and worthwhile book.-
--Paul E. Peterson, American Journal of Sociology -Bobby Burns
wished that we could 'see ourselves as others see us.' Not the
least of the excellent features of this remarkable little book are
the vignettes and commentaries which enable each of us, social
workers, lawyers, social scientists or politicians, educators or
agitators, to get glimpses of how we look to some people. . . .
This volume should provide many a footnote for the historians of
the New Frontier and the Great Society. . . . [It has] a lively,
readable, yet penetrating style. It is a book which all
professional and non-professional people who are directly or
indirectly involved in community affairs and social action should
read and ponder.- --Ralph E. Pumphrey, Social Service Review -In
its calm, nonjudgmental way, the Marris and Rein book is . . . an
indictment of the notion that community action can serve as a
solution to critical social problems, such as poverty and
delinquency. . . . The results of their joint study provide more
than a responsible analysis of the Ford Foundation and President's
Committee efforts. They also provide a historical perspective on
the community action approach . . . insight into the development of
social work during the 1960's, an analysis of the roles played by
key figures in social work, and a thorough examination of the
assumptions, practices, and dilemmas of community action programs.
And it is all done with good humor, charity, modesty, irony, and
careful documentation. . . . Dilemmas of Social Reform is the sort
of core work that ought to be read, at some time, by all graduate
students in social work.- --Leon H. Ginsberg, Journal of Education
for Social Work -Appropriate and useful. It is must reading for
anyone who wants to understand what has gone right and what has
gone wrong with this nation's verbal commitment to the eradication
of poverty.- --Wallace C. Peterson, Journal of Economic Issues
-Students of social movements during the sixties will, no doubt, be
indebted to Marris and Rein for their scrutiny of the nascent
anti-poverty movement.- --Sar A. Levitan, American Sociological
Review
"An intelligent analysis . . . a stimulating and worthwhile book."
--Paul E. Peterson, American Journal of Sociology "Bobby Burns
wished that we could 'see ourselves as others see us.' Not the
least of the excellent features of this remarkable little book are
the vignettes and commentaries which enable each of us, social
workers, lawyers, social scientists or politicians, educators or
agitators, to get glimpses of how we look to some people. . . .
This volume should provide many a footnote for the historians of
the New Frontier and the Great Society. . . . [It has] a lively,
readable, yet penetrating style. It is a book which all
professional and non-professional people who are directly or
indirectly involved in community affairs and social action should
read and ponder." --Ralph E. Pumphrey, Social Service Review "In
its calm, nonjudgmental way, the Marris and Rein book is . . . an
indictment of the notion that community action can serve as a
solution to critical social problems, such as poverty and
delinquency. . . . The results of their joint study provide more
than a responsible analysis of the Ford Foundation and President's
Committee efforts. They also provide a historical perspective on
the community action approach . . . insight into the development of
social work during the 1960's, an analysis of the roles played by
key figures in social work, and a thorough examination of the
assumptions, practices, and dilemmas of community action programs.
And it is all done with good humor, charity, modesty, irony, and
careful documentation. . . . Dilemmas of Social Reform is the sort
of core work that ought to be read, at some time, by all graduate
students in social work." --Leon H. Ginsberg, Journal of Education
for Social Work "Appropriate and useful. It is must reading for
anyone who wants to understand what has gone right and what has
gone wrong with this nation's verbal commitment to the eradication
of poverty." --Wallace C. Peterson, Journal of Economic Issues
"Students of social movements during the sixties will, no doubt, be
indebted to Marris and Rein for their scrutiny of the nascent
anti-poverty movement." --Sar A. Levitan, American Sociological
Review
"An intelligent analysis . . . a stimulating and worthwhile book."
--Paul E. Peterson, American Journal of Sociology "Bobby Burns
wished that we could 'see ourselves as others see us.' Not the
least of the excellent features of this remarkable little book are
the vignettes and commentaries which enable each of us, social
workers, lawyers, social scientists or politicians, educators or
agitators, to get glimpses of how we look to some people. . . .
This volume should provide many a footnote for the historians of
the New Frontier and the Great Society. . . . [It has] a lively,
readable, yet penetrating style. It is a book which all
professional and non-professional people who are directly or
indirectly involved in community affairs and social action should
read and ponder." --Ralph E. Pumphrey, Social Service Review "In
its calm, nonjudgmental way, the Marris and Rein book is . . . an
indictment of the notion that community action can serve as a
solution to critical social problems, such as poverty and
delinquency. . . . The results of their joint study provide more
than a responsible analysis of the Ford Foundation and President's
Committee efforts. They also provide a historical perspective on
the community action approach . . . insight into the development of
social work during the 1960's, an analysis of the roles played by
key figures in social work, and a thorough examination of the
assumptions, practices, and dilemmas of community action programs.
And it is all done with good humor, charity, modesty, irony, and
careful documentation. . . . Dilemmas of Social Reform is the sort
of core work that ought to be read, at some time, by all graduate
students in social work." --Leon H. Ginsberg, Journal of Education
for Social Work "Appropriate and useful. It is must reading for
anyone who wants to understand what has gone right and what has
gone wrong with this nation's verbal commitment to the eradication
of poverty." --Wallace C. Peterson, Journal of Economic Issues
"Students of social movements during the sixties will, no doubt, be
indebted to Marris and Rein for their scrutiny of the nascent
anti-poverty movement." --Sar A. Levitan, American Sociological
Review
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