In a world full of power struggles, abuses of power and overwhelming feelings of powerlessness, I thought it might be worth having a look at power in its various guises.
Number 1 - Power-Over
Power-over, is, generally, the type of power used by an individual or a group trying to dominate or control others. When this type of power is wielded it can, and does, shape lives. It can make or break us and sometimes it can even mean our death. Occasionally this type of power is needed to maintain safety but it needs to be used very, very sparingly.
Power-over is inherently limited and those who hold it generally live in fear of losing it and therefore it breeds paranoia, resentment and division.
In spite of the fact that our survival instincts want us to focus on this type of power and the people who wield it tell us it makes us safe, the truth is it’s not all that good at protecting us. While it may sometimes make us safe in the short term, in the long-term, when we live in an environment where this is the primary type of power in use, we are vulnerable to abuses of power.
“To alienate human beings from their own decision-making is to change them into objects.” Paulo Freire
Number 2 - Power-To
Power-to is about connecting with our own power to act. It’s about solving problems, innovating, working for positive change and, best of all, in contrast to the limitations of power-over, power-to, is limitless. Connecting to this power in our lives can create radical change not just for us ourselves but also our societies.
By its nature power-to fosters co-operation and supports courage because it doesn’t need to dominate or diminish us or others. It creates space for growth and development and transforms rather than oppresses.
However, in a world where oppression and abuse are common there are many people who have very severely restricted power in every way. Which makes it even more important for the fortunate amongst us who are free to examine the world and describe what we see and strive for change, to connect to our own power to act.
Ní neart go cur le chéile - There’s no strength without unity
Number 3 - Power-With
Power-with is shared power that happens when we each connect with our power-to and with respect and mutual support collaborate to act together as equals. There are legions of examples and stories about this type of power but one of my favourites is an Eastern European folk tale called, The Enormous Turnip.
Once upon a time an old man planted a turnip seed. He forgot about it for a long time until one day he thought he’d like some turnip for his dinner. He went into his field and to his great surprise found that his tiny turnip seed had turned into an enormous turnip!
“This is great!” he shouted. “this is the biggest and best turnip I’ve ever seen.”
Bending down to grab hold of the enormous leaves he began to tug.
The turnip wouldn’t move.
He tried again.
No luck.
And again.
But the turnip didn’t move even one inch.
Just then the man’s wife came into the garden.
“Come here,” he called to his wife. “Come and help me with this.”
After oohing and ahhing about the size of the turnip the old woman put her arms around the old man’s waist and together they pulled and pulled with all their might - but they still couldn’t pull up the enormous turnip.
“My goodness!” the old woman said. “We need more help.”
Just then a boy walked past.
“Hello, young man,” the old woman called. “Can you help us to pull up this turnip?”
“Of course,” the boy said, running over to join the man and woman. The old woman put her arms around the old man’s waist, the boy put his arms around the woman’s waist and they all pulled as hard as they could and still the turnip didn’t budge.
“That’s so strange,” the boy said. “But look - there’s my sister, let’s ask her to help.”
The boy called to his sister to help and she was happy to join in. So the man, the woman, the boy and the girl pulled with all their might but they still couldn’t pull up the enormous turnip.
Just then a big dog ran up to see what was happening and the girl asked him to help. The dog caught the girl’s skirt and joined in the pulling but still the turnip remained in the ground.
Sitting on the ground out of breath from the exertion of pulling at the turnip a black cat slinked up. Unusually the dog and cat were friends so the dog gestured to the cat to join in. Then the man, woman, boy, girl, dog and cat all pulled and pulled with all their might but they still couldn’t pull up the enormous turnip.
In desperation the cat called a tiny mouse to come and help. The dog and the cat both promised the mouse they wouldn’t eat him if he would help them though nobody really thought that such a tiny creature would make a difference. But they all felt it was worth a try.
Then the old man pulled, the old woman pulled, the boy pulled, the girl pulled, the big dog pulled, the black cat pulled and this time the tiny mouse pulled as well.
Suddenly, with a huge jerk the enormous turnip came out of the ground and they all fell on top of each other laughing and triumphant.
“Well done everyone!” the man declared. “Thank you so much for all of your help. You are all invited to dinner! Guess what we’re having?”
“Turnip!” everyone shouted as they happily went into the house together.
