Synopses & Reviews
In a world in which social divisions are widening, not lessening, it is essential for proponents of community developmentor of any other practice committed to social justice and sustainabilityto understand how power works at every level, from grassroots projects to movements for change. Written with busy practitioners in mind, this exciting and practical book is filled to the brim with useful, practice-oriented ideas for reclaiming community developments critical potential for social change. Building on the work of Paulo Freire, it presents theories in interesting and straightforward ways and will be an everyday reference for giving community development a critical edge.
Review
"At a time when the challenges posed by a neoliberal world, a shrinking state and an increasingly polarized society have never been greater, this book gives both the conceptual and practical tools which are so needed by practitioners who are working for a more just world."
Review
"Ledwith has again produced a powerful text for community development practitioners. This time she successfully links the activity with the crises of social injustice and ecological unsustainability in a highly recommendable and significant book."
Synopsis
This exciting and practical book is filled to the brim with useful ideas for busy practitioners. Building on the work of Paulo Freire, theories are presented in interesting and straightforward ways to provide an everyday reference for practice.
About the Author
Margaret Ledwith is professor emeritus of community development and social justice at the University of Cumbria, UK. She is the author, most recently, of Community Development: A Critical Approach, also published by Policy Press.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Principles of community development
Paulo Freire’s critical pedagogy
Kickstarting Freire in everyday practice
Power: disempowerment and empowerment
Paulo Freire and anti-racist feminism
Poverty: ‘a crime against humanity’
Power and political times
Emancipatory action research as a critical living praxis
Staying critical: organising collectively