Social Action Theory and the Women's Movement: An Analysis of Assumptions

Abstract

Community organizing theory, implicit in the writings of “social action” authors such as Alinsky, Freire and Piven and Cloward is based on assumptions about class, poverty and unity, as well as the nature of politics and community. These assumptions are both important to and challenged by the experience of Women's Movement organizing. The authors assert that gender as well as the structure of women's lives are important variables that must be included in social analysis. While there appear to be linkages between community organizing theory and Women's Movement organizing - for example, Freire's notion of “consciousness” and the Movement's identification of “the personal is political” - there has been insufficient interchange of ideas and challenge of the theoretical assumptions. It is suggested that a dialogue can and should take place so that both areas will benefit.