The paradox of power: elitization or collective empowerment?

Abstract

Participation -understood as the influence and intervention of citizenship in public issues and in the political system- requires greater action and empowerment capacity. Therefore, the study of power inside the civil society is a central topic; further, understanding the current context of social movements and phenomena that establish a new relationship between civil society and the State. Thus, the following article investigates different theoretical perspectives establishing the “paradox of power” through which the organization and coordination of the community in associations, provides more action and empowerment capacities of the collectivity (more participation); as well as it can generate the elitization and the concentration of power in a directing group who does not represent all the interests of the community (less participation).