First Person Plural

Community Development Approach to Social Change

By: David Smith

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Paperback | 3 March 2026

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David Smith has been at the centre of the movement for social change for 50 years. At the core of his approach are adult education and community development methods that help people build locally-controlled, democratic institutions and effective, broad-based social movements. Here is a life-time of involvement chronicled in one book.

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You Can Find This Book In

Non-Fiction Sociology & Anthropology Sociology Reference, Information & Interdisciplinary Subjects Interdisciplinary Studies Development Studies Law Jurisprudence & General Issues Jurisprudence & Philosophy of Law Education Adult Education Economics

Development Economics & Emerging Economies Society & Culture Social Groups Politics & Government

Introduction
First Person Plural - Story of an Idea	p. 1
Adult Education in a Socialist Society - A Provincial Structure	p. 24
Community Information Services - A Community Structure	p. 33
Design and Dynamics - The Structure of a Conference	p. 41
Anatomy of Citizen Participation - The Structure of Decision-Making	p. 50
Critique of "A Ladder of Participation"	p. 59
Continuity in Adult Education for Political Change	p. 67
Evaluation - How to Stay Honest	p. 76
An Adult Education Program for Peace	p. 81
A Community Development Approach to Health Planning - Participatory Planning	p. 89
Three Problems with the Community Development Approach to Social Change - Cultural, Institutional, Technical	p. 107
Education for Emancipation - An Interview with David Smith	p. 114
Appendix	p. 142
About the Author	p. 152
Notes	p. 154
Table of Contents provided by Blackwell. All Rights Reserved.

First Person Plural

Community Development Approach to Social Change

At a Glance

Paperback

Shipping

How to return your order

Defective items

You Can Find This Book In

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