Unit 3: Power

3.1 Introduction to Unit 3: Taking a power and systems approach

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Protestors at World Refugee Day demonstration in Barcelona, Spain, 2020.
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Two women protesting. One holds a sign and speaks into a microphone while the other looks on, supporting her.

Protestors at World Refugee Day demonstration in Barcelona, Spain, 2020.

Enthusiasm to bring change is admirable and necessary, but not enough. Head and heart need to work in tandem. This unit builds on the context and change analysis we did last unit and looks critically at how change really happens.

Firstly, we will explore how thinking about change in our societies from a systems perspective can guide us in the activities we choose to undertake and the scale of our ambition.

And we will also consider power; what it is, its different forms and why it is important for changemakers. Power analysis is a tool to understand the power dynamic that underpins and informs a system and a particular change action within that. You will be introduced to two power analysis tools and have an opportunity to apply one of them to your change issue.

Both the systems thinking and power analysis are critical tools for ensuring that the actions we take are more likely to be effective and sustainable.

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The graphic depicts eight equal-sized circles. At the centre is circle one and the seven other circles orbit around this central circle. Arrows point between the central circle and the outer circles. In the central circle it says Unit 1 understanding ourselves and our own assumptions. The outer circles have the following text. Unit 2 understanding context and how change happens. Unit 3 systems and power. Unit 4 collective action, changemaker characteristics. Unit 5 influencing, power mapping, partners and allies. Unit 6 influencing strategies, messaging and stories. Unit 7 campaigning tactics, action plan, risks. Unit 8 reflection, adaption, overcoming challenges. The Unit 3 circle is coloured green and all the other circles are coloured blue. This emphasises that you are on Unit 3 of the course.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this unit you will:

  • understand complex systems and why they are important to understand change
  • understand what power is and its different forms
  • apply a power analysis tool to a case study
  • apply a power and systems approach to your change action.

3.2 What is a system?