How Change Happens lecture III: Understanding Power and Change
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Transcript of How Change Happens lecture III: Understanding Power and Change
Understanding Power and Change
Duncan GreenBrandeis Proseminar
March 2012Lecture 3
Why it Matters
Rich source of new ideas and approaches in both advocacy and programming
Recognizing our own models of change and understanding those of others is helpful in building alliances and SMS
Improved agility and impact e.g. spotting opportunities quicker
Increasingly appreciated by funders
What is Power?
Power as force field Ways of looking at power
– Visibility– Spaces– Four powers
Visibility
Visible Invisible (norms and values – who decides
what is normal?) Hidden (setting agendas and priorities, who
chooses speakers and sends out invitations?)
Power and relations in international aid
Actors and processes
Norms and
beliefs
Spaces
Intra-elite Invited spaces Created spaces
Intra-elite, invited or created?
The four powers
Power Within Power With Power To Power Over
We Can: Power Within and Violence Against Women
We Can: Changing Beliefs, not Policies Launched 2004 3.2 million women and men in South Asia
have signed up as ‘change makers’ Viral influencing model, began in Uganda ‘To me change is the killing of fear’ ‘I tell people, I am not here to change you,
that is not in my power. But I can tell you how I have changed, and how it has changed my life’
http://www.oxfamblogs.org/fp2p/?p=6922
Power Analysis for Advocacy: Phase One
Define Change Goal What laws, policies, practices, relationships
need to change? What are obstacles to change? (e.g.
attitudes and beliefs, political groups, financial/commercial interests, lack of a feasible practical proposal)
What are the political opportunities for change (e.g. legislative timetables, elections, international negotiations & summits)
Power Analysis: Phase Two
Who are decision-makers and institutions that determine the change?
At what level are decisions made (international, national, state, politician or official)
Who has formal and informal power on a reform process?
Among these groups and individuals, which are – most easily influenced by OXFAM/partners? – The lost causes? – the ‘shifters' - the undecided or persuadable?
Who influences the people in this key group, who are often the principle target for our campaign?
Power Analysis is permanent
Power Analysis
Change Hypothesis
Implement and Evaluate
Select Change Strategies
Case Study: Revolution in Egypt
Watch the Al Jazeera video (20 minutes) and think about How Change Happens
– Context; Institutions; Agents; Events– What tactics and alliances did the April 6th
movement employ?– Discuss your thoughts in groups and report
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