1. A
presentation on the
‘Strategies
of social action’
JINS JOSEPH
I MSW
dbasc

2. INTRODUCTION
 what is social action ?
It is a process of confrontation, used when other
methods of social work like group work and
community organization fail to meet the need of
the people.
How does it work?
Happens when the resources are in the hands of a
few people and they dictate their own terms and
conditions or at the time of power imbalance,
denial of rights of a section in the community

3. What does it offer?
Through social action a section of a community is
distributed with resources and power among them,
structural changes in the systems, improvement in
the socio economic systems, political reforms,
social justice etc.

4. Strategies And Tactics Used In
Social Action
What is a strategy?
Strategy is a plan, policy, approach or method
used as a means of social action.
Purpose of a strategy?
It is used for organizing strikes, boycotting,
persuading, negotiating, bargaining etc.
Social action is also considered as the extension
of community organization thus it also involves
the stages of casework, group work and
community organization.

5. What are the stages or process of social
action ?
• First stage : DEVELOPING STAGE
the social problem, its gravity, causes, impact on
people, etc. are studied
socio-cultural background of the community
Involving the affected community
 An awareness is provided regarding the causes
responsible for the problem.

6. • Second stage : Organization
Sharing the results of the study with people
Involving leaders of various groups
Creation of awareness by mass communication
Mobilizing people to act, respond
• Third stage : Making strategies
Goals are set based on the felt needs
Strategies are developed
Either negotiation or confrontation

7. • Fourth stage : Action
Implementing the proposed intervention
Systematic and concrete approach
Research, planning, seeking public support and so
on..
The three major strategies used widely at
the time of social action are as follows,
that are …

8. • Collaboration
– The change in the social structure is brought by
peaceful means which includes education,
persuasion, demonstration and experimentation.
– It is a cooperation with the local authority
• Change though pressure
– Using competition, bargaining, negotiation, advocacy
– Seeking change using pressure
– Using these methods the community reaches to an
agreeable agreement.

9. • Disruption and confrontation
– When there is inequality present widely between the
powerful and powerless
– Resistance is used as a method and thus conflict is
expected
– It includes strikes, boycotts, fasting, tax refusal, sit-ins
and so on…

10. An example for social action
Sarvodaya movement can be taken as a
suitable example for social action in the Indian
context. The identified steps of it are
1. Parichaya or introduction ( introduced the
consumers about their needs and problems,
strategies are also introduced)
2. Adhyayan or study (gathered the information from
the people, issues and impact, socio cultural aspects
of them

11. 3. Prachar or propaganda (creation of awareness
at the mass level. Aims to get support and integration)
4. Sahavasa or association ( cooperation is
sought from different groups, facing similar or different
issues)
5. Seva or service ( establishing support through
developmental services)
6. Pratikar or resistance ( coercive measures
against the existing authority,
structural/functioning/authority)
7. Constructive work ( to enhance the credibility of
the movement)

12. • If this all functions like rendering service to the
community then it becomes community
organization than social action.
• The concept of ‘lok shakti’ in sarvodaya
movement clearly indicates that it emphasis on
change.

13. CONCLUSION
Social action begins with collaboration and if that
does not produce satisfactory result then
disruption strategy must be used.
Use of strategy depends on the goals, socio
cultural environment.
Two types of widely used strategies suggested
by Richard Bryant are bargaining (lobbying,
submitting petition, campaigning), Confrontation
( strikes, demonstration, sit-in)

14.  There are mainly three types of strategies for social
action collaboration, competition and disruption.
 By collaborating with the local authority and other
authorities or agencies improvements are made on the
existing policy.
 through competition the challenging parties utilizes the
commonly accepted tactics to convince, negotiate and to
bargain
 Disruption, a kind of militant approach aims to find
solution through strikes, boycotts, fats, tax refusal and
so on..

15. REFERENCE
1) Chowdhry, D. Paul (1992), Introduction to Social Work,
Atma Ram & Sons, Delhi.
2) Mishra, P.D. (1992), Social Work – Philosophy and
Methods, Inter India Publications, New Delhi
3) Siddiqui, H.Y. (1984), Social Work and Social Action ,
Harman Publications.
4) ‘Strategies and Tactics Employed in Social Action’
(pdf), Article by Beena Antony, Archana Kaushik (232)