Book Review: Technology, Activism, and Social Justice in a Digital Age

Technology, Activism, and Social Justice in a Digital Age, by John G. McNutt (Ed.), Oxford University Press, ISBN 9780190903992 paperback, New York, 2018, 240 pages, $34.95.

    Technology, Activism, and Social Justice in a Digital Age introduces readers to ways in which technology is enhancing social change across multiple areas, including community/nonprofit, policy/government, and global sectors. A collection of articles written by academics, pracademics, and practitioners, representing fields ranging from social work and public administration to law and urban planning, explores how traditional advocacy approaches are transformed through the use of technologies (e.g., electronic mail, social media, and crowdfunding) to further social justice goals.

    In Chapter 1, McNutt outlines the text and provides perspective on how the book tackles technology and social change. The first part familiarizes readers with the basics of change, provides a history of traditional and technology-based change approaches, and demonstrates the collaborative contracting process between nonprofits and state-level managers, which can enable nonprofits to advocate for programmatic change.

    The second part exposes readers to civic technology and how Twitter has empowered and enabled user-based content to eclipse mainstream media sources. A simple hashtag can expand the reach of conversation to anyone, anytime, and anywhere.

    Part three provides an analysis of online advocacy and lobbying on the Stop Online Piracy Act/Protect Intellectual Property Act (SOPA/PIPA), use of social media in community action agencies, and use of technology in state-level child advocacy organizations.

    Part four delves into the use of technology on a global stage, such as in China, international nongovernmental organizations, and national/international social movements.

    Part five concludes with the future of technology to create social change.

    For students, this book elucidates how social change has evolved through modern technology. Students can better understand some of the most pressing issues related to social change efforts and learn about needed areas of advocacy. The book may be helpful to practitioners who desire to improve organizational advocacy models. Chapter 3 reveals that most nonprofits, particularly public charities, are unaware of lobbying rules. This chapter provides public charities with practical lobbying strategies and explains some Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidelines. For academics, this book explores a number of emerging topics worthy of further examination. One such topic is advocacy technology and precise microtargeting to voters or stakeholders.

    Technology, Activism, and Social Justice in a Digital Age is a helpful supplementary text for social work practice within organizations and communities. And because it is essential for social workers to effectively advocate for clients, the text offers students and educators a better understanding of the utilization of technology to further social change practice.

Reviewed by V. Nikki Jones, DSW, LCSW, LMFT, Assistant Professor of Social Work, Middle Tennessee State University.