1. Ed Garrett Aberdeenshire Voluntary Action
Distributing Power
Ed Garrett
Aberdeenshire Voluntary Action

2. Thomas Hobbes’ Leviathan (1651)
In state of nature we’re perfectly free but it’s also pretty brutal.
So we give up some of our liberty to the sovereign in return for order.
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

3. A paradigm shift
The old model
An emerging new model
Power is largely given to the government to act on our behalf
Legitimacy through consent given at democratic elections and others forms of consultation
Individuals are selfish and need controlling
Communities have power to do things for themselves
Legitimacy guaranteed through communities actively participating in decision making process
Individuals are basically good and can work together

4. Distributing Power (1)

5. Distributing Power (2)

6. Distributing Power (3) Create your own image of power distribution:
How might power be distributed more equally?
What is the legitimacy of the decision making process?
Think about power within your own group….