This thorough comprehensive text covers the important components of macro social work practice, including research, community and organization development, social action and planning, and administrative tasks. The author views macro practice as the key to social work in the future, carrying on a long and rich tradition of social work in solving social problems and making social change. The author's unique "action social theory" provides an organizational framework for the book. This theory is based on the fact that one of the most important characteristics of the self is the individual's active engagement in the construction of social reality and creating social meaning as people interact with one another. The book takes a position that macro social workers are most centrally positioned of any helping professionals to make a lasting impact on our social world. Intriguing and motivating examples throughout help students see how the book's policy action focus works in effecting social change in the real world of government, community groups, and other organizations.