Empowerment, emancipation and health promotion policy

Journal/Book: Can J Sociol. 1998; 23: Dept Sociology, Edmonton Ab T6G 2E1, Canada. Univ Alberta. 71-90.

Abstract: Conventional approaches to social intervention assume that the solutions to social problems lie in the ability to organize the social world according to the technocratic mindset of the state administrative apparatus. An emancipatory approach to intervention adheres to the principle that systemic activity must be rationalized by collective understanding emerging from everyday experience. This article examines the extent to which Canadian empowerment oriented health promotion programs demonstrate a capacity to support this emancipatory interest. Using a Habermasian framework 1 put forward the argument that the political strength of such programs lies in their capacity to create communicative spaces which allow for the exploration of common interests and the emergence of collective political agency.

Note: Article VanderPlaat M, St Marys Univ, Dept Sociol, Halifax, NS B3H 3C3, CANADA

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