Planning Radical Change at the Grass Roots: The Story of New Communities Inc.

Authors

Shimon S. Gottschalk, Florida State University

Abstract

The author, a social scientist in the role activist, analyzes and evaluates his practice as a planner and advocate, working with poor rural black people in the development of an alternative community. Over New Community Inc.'s more than eight years of constant struggle, radically new insights have been gained by the author concerning the efficacy of ideology and the feasibility of centrally planned change. Planning becomes mutual learning and the only real change worthy of note is not some quantifiable output, but rather the new strength and understanding which emerges from the thoughts and experiences of the people as they struggle to survive.

Recommended Citation

Gottschalk, Shimon S. (1977) "Planning Radical Change at the Grass Roots: The Story of New Communities Inc.," The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare: Vol. 4: Iss. 7, Article 2.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15453/0191-5096.1216
Available at: https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/jssw/vol4/iss7/2