Power Analysis
In any group of people, and between that group and wider society a diverse set of power relations exists. Power analysis refers to trying to understand how these relations are created, and what implications they have. Stratification within a group may form along a variety of lines including gender, ethnicity, generation, class, culture or level of experience Power needs to understood in multiple ways - we should not try to see the world only through one lens. For example social class or caste is one dimension of power which is central to people's identity but it cannot be analysed in isolation from other dimensions.
Why Power Analysis? If the participatory methodologies used in Reflect are to be used to their full potential an analysis of the different dimensions of power which exist in any particular context must form the basis of any discussion. Power impacts on every aspect of our lives whether in the public or private spheres. It influences the way we see ourselves and what we believe we are able to do. Central to Reflect is the idea of strengthening people's capacity to communicate and be heard. This capacity is determined by a complex set of power relationships. Those who are subjected to inequitable power relations in most spheres of their lives, exist in a "culture of silence" where many words may be spoken but they are prescribed, defined, limited by the parameters of the roles or position in which people are embedded. People internalise their oppression, acception their social status or roles. Without exploring how it is that our roles and positions have been socially constructed and maintained by diverse power relationships - without seeing ourselves in new ways, through new lenses - we are unlikely to be able to bring about strategic change. We may bring about some small practical changes that help to improve people's condition - but in the process we may well reinforce their social roles and positions of inequity. Reflect attempts to avoid this by making power analysis a key part of it's process.
How do Reflect practitioners 'do' power analysis? Many of the participatory methods used in Reflect are ideal for facilitating a discussion on power. For example visualisations can be adapted to focus on power, role plays can be used to demonstrate specific instances of power, or participatory video could be used to influence wider audiences around power. It is not the specific tool that is important - rather the focus on power. The aim is not to deny power or abolish power but rather to get people to recognise both the power they have and the power they lack - and to work to positively to transform power relationships in order to construct a more equitable world. Power analysis is not something that can be done to people rather it is something done by an individual or group through analysing their environment.
Different power in dlfferent contexts: Power is not static, at different moments different dimensions will be critical to different people. Moreover an individual may be extremely powerful in one situation while feel powerless in another. This is why the fundamental starting point for Reflect is people -focusing on people as subjects - as agents - with complex, multiple identities.