Community Power and Empowerment

Abstract Community Power and Empowerment is the most comprehensive treatment of empowerment theory to date. The book begins by situating empowerment with regard to community power, thereby addressing a long-standing ambiguity within empowerment theory, research, and practice. Next, chapters examine psychological, organizational, and community aspects of empowerment processes. A new orienting framework for studying and comparing community empowerment processes is developed. The outcomes and impacts of empowerment processes are specified across multiple pathways. Finally, the book provides recommendations for integrating research and practice to achieve the goals of empowerment: building and exercising social power for systemic change and improving community well-being.