The+Degrees+and+Barriers+of+Action

=The Degrees and Barriers of Action=

In our world today, there are many issues the human race must face every day. Fortunately, action is being taken by every day by regular citizens just wanting to help. When one should decide to help, there are many levels, or degrees of action they can take, depending on their desire to help, as well as the barriers of action.


 * Degrees of Action**

__Immersion:__ This is the highest level one can take to help out with an issue they deeply care about. This person has a strong commitment, and this commitment guides the actions. //Example: Create a website for charity//.

__Leadership:__ Someone who takes this degree of action is very committed. They educate others, as well as organize action and take leadership. //Example: Write the government or a corporation about Corporate Social Responsibility ; start a Facebook group//.

__Co-operate:__ This degree of action is when the activist not only changes the action of others, but also works with other activists to make change together. //Example: Attend a protest; join a socially beneficial group or organization.//

__Influence:__ Someone who takes this degree of action goes beyond changing their own habits, and changes the action of others as well. //Example: Call in to a radio show; educate your friends//.

__Personal Change:__ This type of activist has informed themselves, and has made changes in their own lives such as simple activities and choices. //Example: Become a vegetarian; buy eco-friendly products such as food & clothing; do not buy Genetically Modified Foods//.

__Actively Informed:__ Someone who has taken this degree of action have informed themselves, and are starting to search out and inquire possible solutions to the problem. //Example: join a club at school; recycle//.

__Non-Actively:__ These types of people have informed themselves of the issue, but have no desire or have made no effort to take action. //Example: Understanding a cause such as the world’s water disparity, but not taking any action to fix it.//


 * Barriers of Action**

__Financial Resources:__ Great amounts of money are sometimes needed to start a campaign, website, or buy organic.

__Powerlessness:__ Unfortunately, in our world today, power (specifically political power) is needed to make change.

__Lack of Knowledge:__ It is difficult to take action if you are not informed on where to start, or what to do.

__Time Restraints:__ Sometimes, an issue needs to be solved as quickly as possible, and most issues take years to eliminate, once they are brought to attention, planned, and solved.

__Lack of Leadership (in one's self or others):__ To eliminate, or help eliminate an issue, it is helpful to have leadership skills.

Other barriers include:
 * cultural values (individualism)
 * low interest/motivation
 * information age paralysis (too much information) (when one has information about a topic forced upon them, but they do not have enough education to fully understand it. i.e. long words, complicated sentences)
 * overwhelmed/discouraged (one feels that an issue is just too large to solve on one's own, thus, gives up, thinking that one person can not make a difference. i.e. Global Warming, Cash Crops)