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Why Power?

Understand its role

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Why think differently about power? 

We tend to think of power as fixed and static – that some people or institutions have power that they can wield over everyone else. Power is more complex than that. Most of us can think of a moment when we’ve felt powerful, or powerless.

It’s not only present in the big, momentous stuff. The power we encounter in everyday decisions and interactions can enable (or prevent) solidarity for social change. So, every interaction is an opportunity to resist or transform that power – even if only in a small way.

Power is understood by different people in different ways – there’s a rich seam of thinking to draw on (see our Pinboard to learn more).

Power is simply the ability to create – or resist – change.

 

 

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Power is systemic – it’s everywhere.

 

 

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Power is dynamic – it’s contextual and intersectional.

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Power is not finite – but it is accumulative.

 

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Power is structural and cultural.

 

 

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Power is also personal – and interpersonal.

 

 

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Make the case for a conversation about power in your organisation.

This summary of the key messages from the Power Project will help you start a conversation with your colleagues about why we need to think differently about power if we are to achieve deeper solidarity for social change. If you use it, we’d love to hear how you get on.

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Who's involved?

Find out who’s already part of the conversation.

We welcome anyone interested in exploring power and acting to build solidarity in social change

Read more >

Resources

Helping you think differently about power.

Download resources from the guide, and find out what our community is reading, listening and watching to help build solidarity in social change

More here >

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