Political Organizing in Grassroots Politics

This book is an analysis of the organizational dynamics of the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN), a national low- and moderate-income neighborhood organization, detailing the means by which it survives and promotes its goals in the political system. It applies mainstream organizational theories to interview data with ACORN members and organizers to enhance an understanding of both theory and practice. ACORN is recognized as one of the most successful organizing efforts of the 70s and 80s and warrants study as a group capable of surmounting the considerable problems of organizing low- and moderate-income people in American politics. Contents: Theories of Political Organization; Principles of Low-Income Organizing; The ACORN Organizing Strategy; The Organizers; The Members; and the Conclusion.