Autonomy: starting point and goal of personal and social change

Abstract

PurposeEmpowerment describes the processes of how to gain and increase autonomy and self‐determination in one's own environment. Typical examples for empowerment processes can be found in: citizen's initiatives, human rights movements, and other social movements or self help groups. This paper shows that empowerment processes have to be understood as “knowledge processes”. A link between empowerment and the methods of knowledge management will be established. It is inspired by Heinz von Foersters ideas of self‐regulated processes in nervous systems.Design/methodology/approachIn a first step the concept of empowerment will be presented. Secondly, it will be shown which role knowledge is playing in this context. In the last part practical implications of these considerations will be discussed.FindingsThe motivation for engaging in civil society issues is heavily dependent on personal knowledge and on the abilities to access knowledge resources. A constructivist paradigm turns out to be fertile. Discovering one's own strengths, constructing solutions, testing them in the personal context and environment, as well as reflecting these processes are the starting points for developing a constructivist perspective on empowerment processes.Practical implicationsCoaching empowerment processes in a knowledge‐oriented framework can focus on the construction of personal strength, can create space for experimental action and also for reflecting on social and political processes. This provides opportunities for exchange of experiences and fosters second‐order views.Originality/valueH.v.Foerster's concepts on change and autonomy are the foundation for this constructivist approach to empowerment. This could be a helpful approach for supporting affected people in every empowerment process.