Changing the Balance / Balancing Change - a Social Change Agent's Reflections on Approaches to Changing the Relationship Between Landlord and Tenant

Abstract

The main purpose of this thesis is to learn how I can contribute more effectively to social change processes. To do this, I document and reflect on six years of involvement with Wellington City Council and their 6000 tenants. Critical reflection reveals that my praxis incorporates three approaches to social change rather than the single Freirian approach I believed I was using. I label these approaches positivist, critical and organic. The organic approach draws on indigenous world views and ecofeminist, Taoist and poststructuralist theories to create a holistic approach. Its focus shifts from the Freirian emphasis on oppression and liberation to an emphasis on balance. Where the positions of change agents are seldom discussed in positivist and critical approaches, both positions and conditions of change agents become central. Means of practice in positivist approaches tend to be mechanistic while interweaving is the key to organic means. Instead of focusing on agency or structure as sites of social change, I focus on the nature of the relationships. Organic research metanarratives and methodologies differ to those of positivist and critical approaches. Organic researchers aim to produce wisdom, of which knowledge is one aspect. As with critical action research, organic research involves spirals of action and reflection (praxis). However, a second loop of reflections on reflections is undertaken. The thesis is written in four spirals, reflecting the nature of praxis. Likewise, stories are used throughout to create a writing style which is consistent with the metanarratives and with praxis. The first spiral relates the praxis, the second describes reflections on reflections, the third details the aspects of the three approaches and the fourth spiral relates the beginnings of the organic approach in praxis. The organic approach is not a conclusive grand theory. It is an approach that belongs in a time and place. It is one possible conceptualisation of social change in our world.