Alinsky (Book #38)

In preparation for my research paper on technology as a basis for participatory and "healthy" urban design, I picked up one of the classics on community participation and organizing: Reveille for Radicals, by the late, great Saul Alinsky.

Those of you that first heard the term "community organizer" in reference to President-Elect Obama, as I did, should be happy to know that Alinsky was one of the most successful organizers as well as a model for Mr. Obama. Whether Obama has what it takes to push a real progressive agenda has been questioned but, if this book is any indication, I would say I think it's more likely than I did last week.

Alinsky defines the radical as someone who truly loves and cares for the great masses of people and is so identified with them that he shares their injustices and sufferings (at this point, I was thinking that I'm definitely too judgemental to be a radical). Alinsky continues to say that the radical is "completely concerned with fundamental causes rather than current manifestations" (I believe I fit into this category, so maybe I'm half radical?).

As the book progresses he asserts that the real problem with democracy is the focus on the form and structure rather than the content, i.e. the people. He continues with tactics to organize people, form a social program, involve natural leaders from established groups, and so on. Many case studies are related that show the true details of bottom-up, or grass-roots, social action.

Two of the most poignant points he makes are that true change come from an active and informed base and that all problems are interrelated. The former leads the reader into methods of involving and educating and the public by doing things with them, rather than for them, and encouraging personal "discovery" as education; the latter idea is especially useful when trying to organize groups that were formed to address smaller issues, such as labor, religion, public health, etc.

I've never thought of myself as radical and this volume has not convinced me otherwise. I think I lack the faith in the common man and the patience to ever fit within the parameters Alinsky has set. But, at the same time, I can identify with what he is saying and know that he is describing the apotheosis of a radical, rather than one you might find living on your block. After reading this book I can look back at the excitement surrounding Obama, and the grassroots movements that helped him win the presidency, in a new light. Maybe there really is something special about these community organizers from the windy city...

And in closing, I suspect that Norman Mailer read Alinsky and that's one why he hated to be referred to as a liberal (Alisnky says "Liberals dream dreams; radicals build the world of men's dreams.")