Occupation: Organizer: A Critical History of Community Organizing in America

In Occupation: Organizer, Clément Petitjean provides a trenchant history of community organizing, tracing its roots from the Progressive movement to the social movements of the 1960s and 70s. He argues that the professionalization of organizing work has increased, but only by grappling with its limitations and pitfalls can we learn to build durable, effective organizations for change.

Format: Hardback
Length: 340 pages
Publication date: 01 June 2023
Publisher: Haymarket Books

A comprehensive and insightful exploration of the rich history of community organizing, Occupation: Organizer is a vital read for aspiring organizers looking to draw lessons from the past and shape the future of social change. Tracing the evolution of community organizing from its roots in the Progressive movement to its expansion and diverging paths during the social movements of the 1960s and 70s, author and scholar Clément Petitjean delves into the complex dynamics that have shaped this field.

One of the key themes of the book is the rise of Saul Alinsky as the most prominent "professional radical" in the United States during this period. Alinsky's approach to organizing, which emphasized empowering communities and building grassroots movements, challenged the traditional hierarchical structures of organized labor and political parties. However, Petitjean argues that the professionalization of organizing work has led to a narrowing of the scope of organizing and a loss of its radical roots.

Petitjean suggests that we can learn to build durable, effective organizations for change by grappling with the limitations and pitfalls of the professionalization of organizing. He emphasizes the importance of building strong relationships with communities and developing a shared vision for social change that is grounded in grassroots participation and democratic decision-making. Petitjean also highlights the need for organizers to be adaptable and responsive to changing circumstances, and to be willing to learn from their failures and mistakes.

Occupation: Organizer is a rich and thought-provoking exploration of the history and future of community organizing. It is a must-read for anyone interested in social change and the power of grassroots movements to bring about positive change.

Dimension: 228 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781642599558