Skip to main content

Collective action: The value, power, and challenges of working together


Civil Rights March on Washington, D.C. [Former National Basketball Association player, Bill Russell.]
Civil Rights March on Washington, D.C. [Former National Basketball Association player, Bill Russell.], photo by U.S. Information Agency. Press and Publications Service. (ca. 1953 - ca. 1978) on Wikimedia Commons

Boosting the power of activism and advocacy could not be a more important read. This "new research shows we really are 'stronger together.'"

History has shown us that the citizenry can be a powerful force in ensuring government hears and takes action on the will of the people. Consider the Boston Tea Party, the demand for safer factory working conditions in the early 1900s, women getting the right to vote, civil rights, and more recently the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell.

Two recent University of Michigan Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy doctoral alumnae are researching "ways to improve the effectiveness" of advocacy and activism, "powerful drivers of change." Identifying the most common and important characteristics of "the most influential" poverty advocates and improving the effectiveness and strength of protests in the 21st century are research topics for Robin Phinney and Lagina Gause, respectively.

While there is good reason to focus advocacy on an organization's mission, Phinney has found that "collective action... multiplies their influence because each group brings diverse strengths to the table." Gause rightfully recognizes that "activism and protest can be costly," "'particularly for racial and ethnic minorities, the poor, and other resource-constrained groups.'"

In addition to the work by these Ford School alums is that of Tamarack Institute, the authors of An Account of Collective Actions in Public Health, Collective Action Goes Digital (PDF), The Global Compact's Guide to Water-Related Collective Action (PDF), and Change from the Bottom Up: Examining the Potential for Citizen-led Action to Improve Health Outcomes (reporting on a research project).

Popular posts from this blog

Community meals and food events (free and paid)

Free food Free Food Thanksgiving Pop-up Mobile Pantry, Saturday, November 15, 9:00 - 11:00 am, Kinsale : Hundreds of Blessing Bags filled with non-perishable items, desserts, fruits and vegetables, fresh bread, frozen turkey. First come, first served until all items are gone. Location: New Jerusalem Baptist Church, 3695 Kings Mill Rd, Kinsale. Sponsored by Sowers Of Hope and Jospeh’s House. Thanksgiving Giveaway Free Food Drive Through, Sunday, November 16, 8:00 - 10:00 am, Warsaw : Hundreds of blessing bags until gone. Turkeys, hams, perishable, non-perishable items, and much more. Location: Rappahannock High School (parking lot), 6914 Richmond Rd, Warsaw. Sponsored by Sowers Of Hope, Jospeh’s House. MCVRS Thanksgiving Dinner, Wednesday, November 26, pickup Noon - 3:00 pm : Residents of Northumberland County aged 75 and older and living in the middle part of the county may get a free traditional Thanksgiving meal. Registration by November 21 is required. Call (804) 456-81...
Read more

Quilting in red, white, and blue: Celebrating Our Independence Quilt Show, July 1-7

Historic Christ Church & Museum and Sewlovelee are featuring the art of NNK quilters July 1-7 at the Celebrating Our Independence Quilt Show . This joint celebration combines art and history. Quilters are asked to exhibit their red, white, and blue quilts which tell the stories of our independence from Britain, our history since the American Revolution, and the future of the United States. The quilts will also serve as the backdrop of Christ Church's annual reading of the Declaration of Independence. The reading is a patriotic celebration and is in partnership with the Cobbs Hall Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Richard Henry Lee Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution. There is no fee to enter a quilt into the show. Learn more about entering the show . There is no fee to see the quilt exhibit. Edit, 1:00 pm: I cannot resist a tie-in, so here it is. Consider creating a quilt that is inspired by, speaks to, or represents the hist...
Read more

The blue crab population has declined 25% according to latest dredge survey results

The Virginia Marine Resource Commission (VMRC) has announced the 25% decline of the blue crab population between 2024 and 2025. The Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) calls the results a “distressing low.” Many in the Bay watershed would likely agree with CBF’s reaction. Not two months ago, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation released the results of the IPSOS poll of 2,000 people living across the Chesapeake Bay watershed―DC, MD, PA, and VA―which found that the Bay animal most in need of protection was the blue crab (70%). Other top animals identified were bald eagle (68%), oyster (49%), and striped bass (36%). Read the full press release, “Virginia’s Adaptive Management Addresses 2025 Blue Crab Population Fluctuations,” here: HAMPTON, VA - The 2025 Bay-wide Winter Dredge Survey results indicate the Chesapeake Bay’s blue crab population has declined from an estimated 317 million crabs in 2024 to 238 million crabs. Virginia’s blue crab managers are not surprised by these findings, as c...
Read more