How Change Happens

In this remarkable theoretical and practical book, the author proposes a workable account of how change happens, based on his many years of experience, currently as senior strategic adviser to Oxfam GB. He begins by outlining his power and systems approach, with chapters on systems thinking, the reality of power and shifts in social norms. Change agents have to be flexible, strategic, open to feedback and failure, and able to broker relationships. The realities of power are frequently ignored by change agents, but the author shows how it critical to understand and work with them. He distinguishes between power within, power with, power to, and power over, observing the resistance tends to come from institutions, ideas and interests. Understanding how norms of formed and evolved is also highly significant, as they clearly change over time. Throughout the book, he gives relevant case studies, for instance in relation to culture and norms of female genital mutilation. One comes to a better understanding of pressures within social systems in such cases.

The second part deals with institutions and the importance of history, discussing how states evolve, the machinery of law, accountability, political parties and the media, how international systems shape change, and transnational corporations as drivers and targets of change. It becomes important to know how these various systems and organisations operate, so as to be able to navigate skilfully and effectively. It is also important not to make generalisations about the behaviour of companies or institutions, and this brings one back to the realities of power already referred to. The last part of the book discusses civil activism, leadership and the power of advocacy – when does one use confrontation and when collaboration, insider or outsider tactics? The author has extensive knowledge and experience of different forms of advocacy and how to make the most of windows of opportunity. The last chapter pulls the arguments together, looking at domains of change and adaptation of change strategies as well as discussing the overall indications of the book for activist organisations. Whatever kind of change you are involved in, you will undoubtedly benefit from the rich insights contained in this book.