The ways that social advocates organize to fight unaffordable housing and homelessness in Los Angeles, illuminated by a new conceptual framework for studying collective action How Civic Action Works renews the tradition of inquiry into collective, social problem solving. Paul Lichterman follows grassroots activists, nonprofit organization staff, and community service volunteers in three coalitions and twelve organizations in Los Angeles as they campaign for affordable housing, develop new housing, or address homelessness. Lichterman shows that to understand how social advocates build their campaigns, craft claims, and choose goals, we need to move beyond well-established thinking about what is strategic. Lichterman presents a pragmatist-inspired sociological framework that illuminates core tasks of social problem solving, both contentious and noncontentious, by grassroots and professional advocates alike. He reveals that advocates’ distinct styles of collective action produce different understandings of what is strategic, and generate different dilemmas for advocates because each style accommodates varying social and institutional pressures. We see, too, how patterns of interaction create a cultural filter that welcomes some claims about housing problems while subordinating or delegitimating others. These cultural patterns help solve conceptual and practical puzzles, such as why coalitions fragment when members agree on many things, and what makes advocacy campaigns separate housing from homelessness or affordability from environmental sustainability. Lichterman concludes by turning this action-centered framework toward improving dialogue between social advocates and researchers. Using extensive ethnography enriched by archival evidence, How Civic Action Works explains how advocates meet the relational and rhetorical challenges of collective action.

This next generation of U.S. citizens has the opportunity to shape the nation and the world. With knowledge of the foundations of citizenship and society, readers can make informed decisions and actively participate in their community and wider government. This book teaches readers about the civics concept of taking civic action through engaging text and colorful photographs. In this book, readers will learn about taking action in the form of a vote. This nonfiction book is paired with the fiction book My Class Vote (ISBN: 9781538364840). The instructional guide on the inside front and back covers provides: Vocabulary, Background knowledge, Text-dependent questions, Whole class activities, and Independent activities.

Being a part of a community is a privilege. In this informative and inspiring text, readers will learn about the responsibilities and benefits of active citizenship. This volume covers ways to become an informed citizen, how to make your voice heard in the community, how to affect change, and the roles of public servants in the community. The direct language and appealing photographs will hold readers' attention, reinforcing concepts covered in elementary social studies curriculum.

This next generation of U.S. citizens has the opportunity to shape the nation and the world. With knowledge of the foundations of citizenship and society, readers can make informed decisions and actively participate in their community and wider government. This book teaches readers about the civics concept of taking civic action through engaging text and colorful photographs. In this book, readers will learn about civic action in the real-world setting of a town park. This nonfiction book is paired with the fiction book Kaya Cleans the Park (ISBN: 9781538364727). The instructional guide on the inside front and back covers provides: Vocabulary, Background knowledge, Text-dependent questions, Whole class activities, and Independent activities.

This next generation of U.S. citizens has the opportunity to shape the nation and the world. With knowledge of the foundations of citizenship and society, readers can make informed decisions and actively participate in their community and wider government. This book teaches readers about the civics concept of taking civic action through engaging text and colorful photographs. In this book, readers will learn how to take action by starting a community campaign. This nonfiction book is paired with the fiction book Sofia's Stop Sign Campaign (ISBN: 9781538365663). The instructional guide on the inside front and back covers provides: Vocabulary, Background knowledge, Text-dependent questions, Whole class activities, and Independent activities.