Saul Alinsky's Rules for Radicals is a monumental and foundational text for social leaders who desire to affect change within organizations, communities, and society (Alinsky, 1971). In this text, the author outlines thirteen rules that he believes are essential to organizing an effective social movement. I will address the rules which I find to be most and least applicable to social work professional ideals. Additionally, I will discuss what I consider to be the important aspects of the book which can be applied to social work practice. Finally, I will discuss how the book theme applies to our current social and political environment in the United States.
