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Is Empowerment Ethical? Why Ask the Question?

In: Ethics and Empowerment

Author

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  • John J. Quinn

Abstract

Empowerment is desirable, is it not? Almost by definition, the idea that people may have greater power over some aspects of their own lives seems to be a good thing. And in the majority of areas where the term is used — for example, feminism, consumerism and urban planning — this is generally the position taken. Even where the activity involved might be socially or otherwise undesirable, empowerment might be seen as positive if misdirected. Thus we are told of the 18th Street Gang in Los Angeles ‘[Gang members] taught kids who came from other countries how to survive…18th Street empowered a lot of kids [telling them] “This is how you do it in America”’ (Observer, 24 November 1996). In the emergent debate on communitarianism, empowerment would appear to be a necessary prerequisite if individuals are to take more responsibility for shaping their own lives and the lives of those around them.

Suggested Citation

  • John J. Quinn, 1999. "Is Empowerment Ethical? Why Ask the Question?," Palgrave Macmillan Books, in: John J. Quinn & Peter W. F. Davies (ed.), Ethics and Empowerment, chapter 2, pages 23-37, Palgrave Macmillan.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:palchp:978-0-230-37272-6_2
    DOI: 10.1057/9780230372726_2
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