Respond to at least two of your colleagues who identified and selected a power resource different from the one you selected. Address one of the following:
Explain how the power resource your colleague selected would strengthen or challenge your ability to advocate for policy regarding the social problem you selected to use for your Final Project in the course, the Social Change Project.
Explain how the power resource you selected might impact your colleague’s work.
1-Nicole-
Post a brief description of why it is important for social workers to be familiar with power dynamics when working with decision makers. In your description, address the following:
Power dynamics are a pivotal part of policy advocacy. Social workers know these dynamics shape resources, relationships, institutional contexts, and public engagement (Jansson, 2018). Successful advocacy requires an awareness of these dynamics to strategically influence transactional relationships with stakeholders. A conscientious advocate will avoid coercive power, or threats, in favor of ethical efforts such as power that derives from expertise, authority, or values (Jansson, 2018).
Identify the power resource you selected for use in your practice and advocacy.
Value-based power is an important resource for advocacy practice. It focuses on a shared commitment to an outcome.
Explain the resource you selected.
While people may come at an issue from different perspectives, they can share a desired outcome. Even cultures or groups with differing political identities can find a common core orientation (Miltz & van den Hoogen, 2023). A foundational benefit, such as public health, can have nearly unanimous public agreement even when its reason may differ (Farazmand et al., 2024). Stakeholders like public officials will likely follow the value-based policy to stay in public favor.
How does this power resource work to influence decision makers?
Value-based advocacy seeks to influence the public and, thereby, public officials by finding shared values. An advocate will appeal to the values of different groups, such as equality for liberals and individual rights for conservatives (Jansson, 2018). For example, a policy advocate working to give tax breaks to green energy companies may gain value-based favor from liberals by describing the environmental benefits while reaching conservatives with job creation and reduced costs of energy. The values are different in each group, yet they amount to support for the same policy. A policy advocate appeals to the benefits that matter to different groups, promoting broad support that will influence decision-makers.