Books & ideas

Mobilizing People in Low-Income Neighbourhoods

Julien Talpin — 2015-01-22T06:30:00Z

Much confusion has arisen in recent urban policy discussions in France about the importance of “empowerment”. To reduce this confusion, and to see more clearly the relevance of American experience to France, Julien Talpin points out the basic difference between community development and community organizing, and explores the latter in a field study in Los Angeles. The difference between the two can be subtle, but familiarity with it is nevertheless indispensable for designing and putting into place participation by neighbourhood residents.

Empowerment, From Theory to Practice

Nicolas Duvoux — 2013-07-08T07:00:00Z

Empowerment is a new concept in France. M.-H. Bacqué spent some time in the United States studying this approach to public policy which aims to give power to individuals. She is now carrying out an assignment for the French Urban Ministry to promote the practice of empowerment, together with M. Mechmache from AC-LeFeu. Will public institutions learn how to trust civil society?

Liberty, Security, Flexibility

Elodie Béthoux — 2012-02-16T11:17:12Z

Sociologist Bénédicte Zimmerman's empirical studies of employer groups and participative management reveals how the tension that exists between the individual and the collective is being reshaped in today's flexible organizations. “Flexicurity” is not a mere word. And freedom at work is not just a matter of autonomy.