Inspired by the Arab Spring that continues to effect changes throughout the Middle East and the global Occupy movement, many are looking toward community organizing as a realistic, tried, and tested way to address our many global problems. This book is the first to explore the diverse history of community organizing, telling stories of its successes and failures and uncovering the lessons that can be applied today. It analyzes contemporary examples from all over the world-against wider theoretical frameworks-and examines their ability to contribute to sustainable social change.