Power

Eric Liu, E. (2014, November). How to understand power [Video]. TED Conferences. https://www.ted.com/talks/eric_liu_how_to_understand_power#t-154666

• Understanding Power:

  • Power is not inherently good or evil but determines how government works and who holds authority.

  • In democracy, power ideally resides with the people, shaping the community's actions and governance.

• Forces of Civic Power:

  1. Physical Force: Control of police or militia.

  2. Wealth: Money buys influence and enhances power.

  3. State Action: Government and politics, ideally given by the people through elections.

  4. Social Norms: Influence of societal values and beliefs.

  5. Ideas: Power to change actions through influencing thoughts and beliefs.

  6. Numbers: Collective mass of people exerting power.

• Three Laws of Power:

  1. Power is Never Static: It either accumulates or decays over time.

  2. Power is Like Water: It flows through everyday life and politics, with policymaking aiming to harness and perpetuate this flow.

  3. Power Compounds: Powerlessness begets powerlessness, and the challenge in democracy is preventing the concentration of power in one individual or group.

• Becoming Better at Power:

  • To improve one's ability to wield power:

    • Read Power: Pay attention to various sources of power, analyze power dynamics, and study strategies used by others.

    • Write Power: Express yourself authentically, organize and mobilize others, practice conflict resolution, and set objectives aligned with prosocial goals.

  • Citizenship involves observing patterns, adapting strategies, and working towards benefiting others rather than serving selfish interests.

  • Power combined with character contributes to being a great citizen.

Xenophrenia. (2013, August 3). Allan Johnson: Privilege, Power and Difference 2nd Interview [Video]. YouTube.

• Introduction to Systems of Privilege:

  • Privilege is described as a system of power relations within societies.

  • Defined as unearned access to resources and social power based on belonging to certain social groups.

• Understanding Privilege:

  • Privilege may be invisible to those who possess it but evident to those who lack it.

  • Embedded in social structures and institutions, not just individual attitudes or behaviors.

• Social Systems and Power:

  • Social systems maintain power differentials between various groups.

  • Different forms of oppression intersect within these systems.

• Oppression and Privilege:

  • Oppression and privilege are interconnected, with one group benefiting from the oppression of another.

  • Recognizing one's privilege requires acknowledging societal advantages based on social identity.

• The Matrix of Domination:

  • Illustrates how different forms of oppression intersect and reinforce each other.

  • Individuals occupy multiple social positions simultaneously, each conferring privilege or disadvantage.

• The Paradox of Privilege:

  • Privilege often leads to a sense of entitlement and resistance to acknowledging advantages.

  • Denying privilege perpetuates systems of inequality.

• The Cycle of Oppression and Privilege:

  • Privilege and oppression perpetuate themselves through socialization, institutional practices, and cultural norms.

  • Challenging the cycle requires collective efforts to dismantle systems of privilege and oppression.

• Challenging Privilege and Building Equity:

  • Recognizing privilege is the first step towards creating more equitable societies.

  • Solidarity, allyship, and collective action are crucial in challenging systems of privilege.

• Conclusion: Towards Social Change:

  • Collective action is transformative in challenging systems of privilege and oppression.

  • Ongoing self-reflection, dialogue, and activism are necessary for creating a more inclusive and just world.

• Acknowledgment of Marginalized Identities:

  • In the second edition, disability is included as a marginalized identity.

  • Disability intersects with other forms of oppression, contributing to unique experiences of privilege and disadvantage.

• Invisibility of Disability Privilege:

  • Similar to other forms of privilege, privilege associated with disability may be invisible.

  • Societal attitudes and structures marginalize individuals with disabilities, perpetuating ableism.

• Intersectionality and Disability:

  • Disability intersects with other aspects of identity, shaping experiences of privilege and oppression.

  • Disability is examined within the context of broader social inequality.

• Challenging Ableism:

  • Readers are prompted to challenge biases and assumptions about disability.

  • Advocacy for the rights and inclusion of individuals with disabilities is emphasized.

• Intersectional Analysis:

  • Disability is viewed within the broader context of social inequality, highlighting interconnected systems of privilege and oppression.

• Call to Action:

  • Inclusion of disability serves as a call to action for readers to expand their understanding of privilege and oppression.

  • Critical reflection, dialogue, and advocacy are encouraged to create more inclusive communities.