'A treasure trove of ideas and experiences drawn from not just one, but eight fascinating examples of successful social and political change. Gaventa and McGee offer ideas, inspiration and hope to activists everywhere. Indispensable.' - Duncan McGreen, Head of Research, Oxfam House'In contrast to the widespread emphasis on the local and global, this volume "brings the national back in" to the literature on citizen action and policy reform The editors bring together a remarkably diverse array of highly original case studies, capped off with a compelling and accessible analytical synthesis of lessons learned.' - Jonathan Fox, author of Accountability Politics: Power and Voice in Rural Mexico'Citizen Action and National Policy : Making Change Happen could not be better timed. The current scenario for civil society, in both national and global contexts. is all too often characterised by severe democratic deficits and the capture of governance by elites. This book provides reasons to hope that citizens can effect significant policy change, tangible lessons in doing so effectively and realistic assessments of the potential pitfalls.

As importantly, it clearly establishes an evidence base of the value of approaches whose impact and effectiveness are hard to demonstrate: international agreements and covenants; collaboration - South-South, South-North and between civil society and government; the rights-based approach; and investments in building and strengthening democratic states and civil society infrastructure. For democratic governments and civil society alike, the cases provide a critical counter-argument against claims that citizen participation in governance is either inefficient, ineffective or both. The compelling combination of frontline perspectives of each struggle with intelligent, strategic analysis of the factors that led to success or failure, make this publication an enlightening read for anyone with an interest in reducing the democratic deficits that bedevil the quest for equity and justice.' - Ingrid Srinath, CIVICUS.