Driving Social Change: How to Solve the Worlds Toughest Problems

Praise for DRIVING SOCIAL CHANGE

"I commend Paul Light′s book to anyone dedicated to social change. His questions deserve answers, his insights demand attention, and his faith in the possible will resonate with the future leaders who are already taking the reins of power needed for solving the world′s toughest problems."
CATHERINE B. REYNOLDS, Chairman of the Board, Catherine B. Reynolds Foundation, from the Foreword

A revolutionary look at workable strategies for powerful long–term social impact

As an onslaught of urgent problems threatens the very fabric of the world′s social, economic, and political systems, creating change remains a difficult task. Without the full engagement of every possible ally, breakthrough will remain well out of reach.

Driving Social Change demands that we take a second look at the way we understand the change–making process and our role in it.

This landmark volume reveals:

The underlying assumptions that support our understanding of social entrepreneurship Findings and recommendations for steering the conversation on social breakthrough Three powerful, often neglected drivers of social breakthrough The nine stages of the social breakthrough cycle Lessons learned from the successful breakthroughs of the past

Making it clear that social impact involves more than the power of a good idea, Driving Social Change sets social entrepreneurship within the broader effort to address the urgent issues facing our world. It argues that today′s battle is not about the one best plan of action, but about creating and harnessing the ordinary heroism across society to create change so desperately needed.

Foreword ( Catherine B. Reynolds).

Acknowledgments.

Introduction.

Chapter 1: Still Searching for Social Entrepreneurship.

Chapter 2: Agitating the Prevailing Wisdom.

Chapter 3: The Breakthrough Cycle.

Chapter 4: Prepare to Expect Wonders.

Bibliography.

Index.

PAUL C. LIGHT is the Paulette Goddard Professor of Public Service at the Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service at New York University and founding director of the NYU/Abu Dhabi Center for Global Public Service and Social Impact.

"Driving Social Change is the latest contribution to a rick ongoing dialogue about how to usher in social breakthroughs. Driving Social Change will appeal to many who are pioneering new ways to solve old problems, whether through young or established organizations, advocacy efforts, or research." (Standford Social Innovation Review, Spring 2012)