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social action

social action

1 4.2
A planned effort to change life in a community or improve people's living conditions
  • noun
  • Formal
translation icon : acción social
  • The community organized a series of workshops to discuss social action aimed at improving local housing conditions.
  • collective social action
  • commitment to social action
  • level of social action

It seems to be a sort of a social action problem or a social reform problem that needs to occur top down.

Examples

  • Although Haynes engaged in solitary social action, she understood the importance of group efforts.

    Academic text (1997)
  • In terms of social action, the students were asked to write up these analyses for real purposes and audiences.

    Academic text (2015)
  • Social problems need social action by all of society.

  • The focus of the first book is water pollution and social action.

    Academic text (2002)
  • Ultimate or religious values lay down the basic principles of social action.

    Academic text (1995)
  • Mr. Gee no doubt would agree that every social action entails both profit and loss.

    Academic text (2002)
  • Their acceptance as knowledge makes possible social action that might otherwise have languished.

    Academic text (1990)
  • For people of faith, social action must be grounded in authentic theological foundations.

    Academic text (1995)
  • One may assume that the socially conscious-oriented physician is interested in health-related social action.

    Academic text (1990)
  • In small-scale societies, labeling someone ill is a precondition for effective social action (Edgerton 1980).

    Academic text (1994)

Synonyms

action
vssocial action
  • Formal
962 4.3

An official measure taken by a government or group to solve a problem

involves broader organized efforts or policies aimed at reforming society
social policy
vssocial action
16 3.5

Plans by a government or group to help people's health, housing, and education

aims specifically at organized reforms to improve socioeconomic conditions

Antonyms

100 3.5

Not caring for someone or something that needs care

43 6.2

A lack of interest or care about things

How Radical

revolution
810 4.1
movement
3.6
campaign
2.7
social action
  • Formal
1 4.2
to reform
228 3.7
charity
190 1.0

Surface Forms

social action singular

Morphology

social + action

The meaning is directly composed from 'social' (relating to society) + 'action' (taking steps), so a B1 learner who knows both words can infer it refers to actions or organized efforts aimed at societal issues. The phrase is literal and non-idiomatic, following a common cross-linguistic pattern, so its sense is immediately accessible from the constituents.

Etymology

Social action paints a clear picture: social (people in a community) taking action (working together). That's why it means a planned effort or 'program' to 'change' or improve problems in society.