Part C (Q11): Discuss in detail the principles, tactics and models of Social Action.

Social Action is a confrontational method used to bring about structural change when those in power refuse to negotiate.

Principles of Social Action

1. Principle of Credibility: The leaders must be highly trusted by the masses and possess unquestionable integrity. People will not take risks (like going on strike) for a leader they don't trust.
2. Principle of Legitimization: The movement must justify its cause to the broader public to gain moral support, often by grounding demands in constitutional or human rights.
3. Principle of Dramatization: The movement must capture attention using powerful symbols, songs, and dramatic forms of protest (e.g., the Chipko movement hugging trees) to overcome public apathy.
4. Principle of Multiple Strategies: A movement must continuously shift tactics (from formal petitions to street protests) to keep the opposition off-balance.
5. Principle of Non-Violence (Satyagraha): Violence alienates public sympathy and gives authorities the excuse to crush the movement. Non-violence maintains the moral high ground.

Tactics of Social Action

Tactics range from mild to severe:

1. Collaborative Tactics: Used when the target is willing to talk. Includes submitting petitions, lobbying legislators, and formal negotiations.
2. Campaign Tactics: Used to persuade or shame a reluctant target. Includes mass education, media campaigns, and public rallies.
3. Contest/Confrontational Tactics: Used when the target is hostile.
   • Boycotts: Refusing to buy goods or use services.
   • Strikes: Withdrawing labor.
   • Civil Disobedience: Deliberately breaking an unjust law to highlight its injustice.

Models of Social Action (Britto's Classification)

1. The Elitist Social Action Model Driven by experts, professionals, and the educated elite on behalf of the masses. The public is largely passive.

• Legislative Action: Lawyers filing Public Interest Litigations (PILs) to change laws.
• Economic Sanction: Elites using economic power to boycott entities.
• Direct Physical Action: Small, highly committed groups taking disruptive action.

2. The Popular Social Action Model Grassroots mobilization involving the direct, massive participation of the oppressed people themselves.

• Conscientization Model (Paulo Freire): Educating the masses to understand their oppression, leading to spontaneous mass action.
• Dialectical Model: Promoting conflict between the "haves" and "have-nots" (Marxist approach).
• Non-Violent Direct Action: Mass civil disobedience and strikes where people peacefully refuse to cooperate with an unjust system.