RE: “Game-playing”: rethinking power and empowerment

The article takes an insight into power and empowerment in the modern world, as power defines that “ one person is able to control another”, empowerment refers to “increasing the strength of individuals and organizations” that will probably benefit others. According to the debate, power is commonly thought as political power while empowerment is relate to human rights. Personally, I agree with the point that “empowerment is an affecting and transforming power but not a controlling power”, since an economic transformation results from a fundamental change of political power’s dominant position in distribution, especially in developing economies. Take China and Soviet as examples. In the 1980s, China started market economy, so the government has no total power over the market any more, all the market participants could benefit from the free market. Since then, China’s economy began to explode. By contrast, Soviet’s planned economy was carried out under the dominant control of the government, which led to the terrifying efficiency and people’s resistance, and finally the collapse of its economy. Thus, no only the nation, we will not have lasting change unless organizations and communities acquire the assets and means to transform through proper empowerment.
In another part of the article, the author explains three forms of empowerment: “power with”, “power to” and “power within”, which gives positive definitions to empowerment. What’s more, the three terms of empowerment can be applied to individuals and organizations. Since “power with” can help us better establish partnership and collaboration with others, individuals are treated as full equals. As for “power to” refers to exercise agency and to realize the potential of rights citizenship or voice, it is more helpful in decision-making process, for this action will possibly create an understanding among citizens and eliminate the resistance if the government is about to carry out a certain policy. Also, “power within” means that gaining the sense of self-identity, confidence, and awareness that is a pre-condition for action. It is more practical for us individuals that we are willing to devote our power to communities, taking an active part in following social norms and establishing a close relationship with the authority. On balance, the conflict between control and resistance will be mitigated, thus citizen can build up smooth cooperation with the government and make sustainable development.

More blog posts in this category Common

• RE: blood coltan
• RE: Harnessing Entrepreneurial Energy
• RE: Fair Trade: A human Journey
• RE: A brilliant idea
• RE: Collaborative Entrepreneurship