So how do we get it??? We need: –Social change: change to the culture, public policies, and structure of society –Macro-, micro-, and mid-level solutions –Short-, middle-term, and long-term strategies

Micro-level solutions Micro meaning “small” Changes in how individuals operate within small groups Important, but… –Social problems (as we’ll talk about in a minute) and NOT just individual “troubles,” they are social issues that need institutional and structural changes (in other words, “big,” or macro-solutions)

Mid-level solutions You can help solve problems by reaching small groups of people through local and community solutions –For instance, AA, NA Or by grassroots organizations (started by ordinary people who work together to change a “wrong” in their neighborhood, city, state, or nation –For instance, community organizing (examples) Or by people working together through social movements (organized groups that act collectively to promote change or resist change through collective action –For instance? How about women’s rights, fights for same sex marriage, fights against same sex marriage, MADD, PETA, etc.

Macro-level solutions Mid-level sometimes is hard to get to bring about large-scale political and economic change, so… Use “macro” or “big,” structural/institutional solutions –For instance, to politics, corporations, economy, education, military, etc. Works through special interest groups (political coalitions) Works through national and international social movements (civil disobedience, protest crowds)

How do you get corporations and politicians to listen? Can write letters (like we will be doing!!! –What level solution is this? Can join advocacy group or form one at local level –What level solution is this? Can become a lobbyist or work for a political action coalition, or be on staff for a national movement (like the NAACP) –What level solution is this?

Does that mean it’s easy? NO! May require hard sacrifices and real change to improve the conditions of all If we look at global problems like world poverty and environmental degradation, “[energies] need to be redirected to the rebuilding of the global economy on a humanly and environmentally sound basis. Such an approach requires limits to growth- in some spheres, sharp reduction- in the material demands that human society places on the environment” (Brecher and Costello 1998).