Social Transformation is a Paradigm Shift
Social transformation is a metaphor that embraces multiple changes in economic, political, social, and religious domains melding together to create a new way of thinking and acting on a large scale. The pivotal shift in perspective that comes in social transformation often emerges first in mid-level collaborative organizations. These bodies are able to be more flexible in adopting changes that emerge in a paradigm shift. Collaborative organizations are able to build bridges between local primary groups and larger national institutions to create social transformation. In this way they become channels of communicating new ideas and momentum for changes that contribute to social transformation.
Social transformative leadership tends to arise from within collaborative organizations that build trust, nurture new ideas, and create multiple connections to many other groups, organizations, and movements and ultimately create social transformation. The book Journeys Into Justice demonstrates how that happens in ten descriptive case histories of social justice work that feeds social transformation.
Social transformation may involve transformational leaders who embody a vision for change and the capacity to motivate and mobilize large societal groups to embrace major shifts in attitude and behavior. Social transformation always involves collaborative action by organized groups of people committed to a long-term effort.
The Journeys into Justice book describes ways in which diverse groups are brought together in collaborative organizations that bring about new forms of social transformation that benefits the common good. Ten case histories document how positive changes in living wages for workers, justice for immigrants, affordable rental housing with supportive services, juvenile justice reform, economic development, and family empowerment contribute to social transformation.
Want to learn more about the process of creating social transformation? Get your copy of Journeys into Justice today!
Nature and Meaning of Collaboration