POWER

TWO CONCEPTIONS

UNILATERAL

Definitions:

Capacity to influence

Ability to
Control & Dominate

Characteristics:

Unilateral and vertical -- operates in one direction (from the top down)

Is Violent

.*Every relationship of domination, of exploitation, of oppression, is by definition violent, whether or not the violence is expressed by drastic means. In such a relationship, dominator and dominated alike are reduced to things -- the former dehumanized by an excess of power, the latter by lack of it. And things cannot love. - Paulo Freire, Education for Critical Consciousness, Footnote on pp. 10,11.

Externally related
to the other

The other is treated as an object (a thing).

The other's perspective
is irrelevant

Monopolistic and competitive
(power is lost or given up when shared - zero sum game).

Focused on control and determining output/results

Grounded in substance view of the self

A substantial self has relations but is not constituted by those relations. The self exists prior to its relations.

Aim:

Predict or determine future events in order to achieve desired purposes.

Maximize self-sufficiency

Social Consequences:

Oppression

Exploitation

Violence

Poverty

RELATIONAL

Definitions:

Capacity to influence
AND to be influenced

Ability to cooperate
and collaborate

Characteristics:

Reciprocal -- active and receptive (works in two directions)

Is Loving

Internally related to the other

The other is treated as a subject.

Synergistic and cooperative (power is gained through empowering others)

Horizontal (a power in or with the other)

Focused on freedom and creativity

Grounded in relational view of the self

Aim:

Transform the present by creating and actualizing new possibilities. The future emerges.

Maximize cooperation, collaboration and co-creativity.

Social Consequences

Prosperity

Connected Community

Peace