Inverted triangle/pillars

From WRIWiki

Pillars of Power

All power structures need sustaining. Various factors or forces prop up even those with the firmest grip on authority. This tool is based on the premise that some situations may not be as stable as they appear.

The factors or forces can be viewed as pillars or props for the power situation. Remove or weaken the props and the power becomes less stable, allowing a point of movement through which change can occur.

How to use the tool: 1. Identify the power you are trying to change – this may be a power-holder or it may be a particular injustice e.g. it could be a particular government / institution or it could be the absence of voting rights for women.

2. Identify the forces or factors which maintain this situation. Show them as ‘pillars’ or ‘props’ on both sides of the triangle.

3. How might these pillars be weakened or removed? List strategies for each pillar. Which pillar is the most significant? Which are you going to tackle first? Some analysis of your own resources is important here.

4. When we’re trying to change particular power situations, it’s very important to know what we want to change them to – otherwise we may end up with something much worse! Consider which stable / just situation you wish to replace the current unstable / unjust one.

SW 2001 From Hildegaard Goss-Mayer