ROOTS 1+2 Advocacy Toolkit ROOTS 1+2 Advocacy toolkit

Section B2 The WHY of advocacy Power and politics

Section B2: What is power? Power is the ability to influence the behaviour of people and the circumstances they live in. It determines who makes decisions, what decisions are made, when they are made, and how they are made.

Section B2: What are the different types of power? ‘Power to’ do something ‘Power within’ a person ‘Power with’ others ‘Power over’ others Visible power Hidden power Invisible power

Section B2: What are the different sources of power? AuthorityCoercion CollectiveCulture EconomicEthnic ExpertiseGod InstitutionalMoral PrivilegeResource Service

Section B2: How does advocacy interact with power? Holding decision-makers to account for their use of power Trying to change the way power is used Challenging the abuse of power Gaining access to power for excluded people Helping people to see & use their own power Overcoming a sense of powerlessness

Section B2: How is power abused? Empty promises Abuse of privilege Use of force, violence or coercion False claims of legitimacy & representation Poor research & misinterpretation of data Bribery

Section B2: What is government? The legislature (parliament) decides which laws need to be adopted, changed or implemented in the country or state The executive runs the day-to-day affairs of the country or state and implements the laws The judiciary interprets and enforces the laws of the country or state

Section B2: What is politics? Politics is the exercise of power, and the interaction of people with power. Participation in politics often depends on the arena in which citizens can engage with their government, known as political space. Political space can be closed, invited or created.