Powerful Actors Versus Compelling Actions

Abstract

The term interest group is closely associated with the idea that politics is fundamentally about "power over" in the form of a struggle among contending collectivities. The word interest implies something fixed. An alternative view of politics emphasizes "power to " and treats understandings of interest (or preferences) as something malleable. In the latter view, actors are empowered by the relationships they form and these relationships help shape preferences. Because the interactions accompanying some relationships are less cumber some than others, some relationships and the practices they support are more sustainable than others. These might be called compelling action. Sustainable relationships shape preferences, and a rule of viability appears to work in such a way that the policy mandates emanating from group struggles may not necessarily take hold. Lasting school reform ultimately depends on sustainable relationships as a basis for desirable practices.