Jackson, Ben From Anger to Action (1538141329)

From Anger to Action tells the stories of the citizens' movements charting new paths to tackle the big global challenges that lie behind the political upheavals of our times. Drawing on candid insights from citizens, activists, and innovators, and their own experiences as leaders of internationally recognized advocacy organizations, the authors give an insider account of the battle for change and how it can be won – as well as trenchant criticism of where traditional civil society has lost its way and needs renewal. While unflinching on the dangers of the current political crises, the book offers hard-edged hope and a vision for citizen-led change to reshape our fractured politics.

We meet communities in economically-battered US towns welcoming refugees, and LGBTI activists celebrating the success of their campaign focus on love. We hear from Syrian activists reaching across impossible divides between jihadists and Assad supporters, and go behind the scenes with Mongolian entrepreneurs preserving heritage skills by selling ethically-traded Yak-fibre suits on London’s Saville Row (yes, that’s really true). We go inside the international network of frenzied tax justice campaigners breaking open the secrecy enabling global elites to evade tax on an industrial scale, and using social media to drive change. Lamb and Jackson explore how citizens’ movements are transforming our global politics, refashioning internationalism and fighting back against narrow nationalism. The book analyses why some movements secure lasting change – and others fail. And they show how these insights could shape a wider strategy for grassroots-up transformation.

From Anger to Action will be of interest to social activists and anyone interested in social movements, global change, and civil society.