Social action is a term used in sociology to describe an act that takes into account the actions and reactions of individuals or groups towards social reform. It is a practice of taking action, usually as part of an organized group or community, to create positive change. Social action can lead to profound social change, as in the case of the Civil Rights Movement, or it can seek more limited and specific changes, such as the preservation of an open space or better pay for a specific group of workers.

Max Weber, a German sociologist, defined social action as an act that is social insofar as its subjective meaning takes account of the behavior of others and is thereby oriented in its course. Webers social action theory states that all human actions, or social actions, are informed by the unique experiences, desires, and contexts of individuals. According to Weber, social action can trigger means and ends for social actors and social interaction who want to achieve something specific.

Social action can take many forms, including gathering the troops and marching on City Hall, testifying at a legislative hearing, going door to door to talk to voters about an upcoming election, filing a lawsuit, meeting with a representative of a regulatory body to demand proper enforcement of already-existing rules, or paying a visit to a Congressman with a group of fellow citizens. Social action often means refusing to follow the rules laid down by those in power and exercising instead the right to protest and contest unfair or ill-conceived policies and decisions.

In summary, social action is a practice of taking action to create positive change, usually as part of an organized group or community. It can lead to profound social change or seek more limited and specific changes. Social action can take many forms, and it is informed by the unique experiences, desires, and contexts of individuals.