This essay is a condensed extract from a section in my Masters Dissertation written in 2020

Change is inevitable, but it is often a complex, messy, and deeply political process. This is especially true in Indigenous contexts like Melanesia, where individuals must navigate between cultural, religious, and state institutions to drive social change. The concept of change goes beyond individual actions; it is intricately linked with systems and power dynamics that shape societies. To effectively engage in this process, it is essential to understand how systems work and how power operates within them.

Understanding Change as a System

Change is not linear. It is an evolving, non-linear process that involves numerous factors, actors, and institutions. Systems thinking provides a framework for understanding this complexity. According to Donella Meadows, a system is “an interconnected set of elements that is coherently organized in a way that achieves something” (Meadows and Wright, 2009). This definition underscores the need to see the problem in a broader context rather than in isolation. A systems perspective enables individuals to identify the root causes of problems and discover new opportunities for intervention.

Systems thinking is particularly valuable in Melanesian societies, where harmony or disharmony between people, communities, and natural elements significantly impacts outcomes. It helps individuals leading social change to observe, reflect, and understand the context before engaging in action. In his book How Change Happens (2016), Duncan Green stresses the importance of becoming better “reflectionists” — those who take time to observe and understand the system before and during engagement.

Peter Stroh further illustrates the complexity of change by identifying four main challenges in the process: motivation, collaboration, focus, and learning. Motivation comes from seeing how one’s actions can affect a system. Collaboration is essential to navigating complex relationships and institutions. Focusing on what actions to take is a strategic decision based on systemic understanding. Finally, learning involves ongoing reflection on the process, allowing change agents to adapt and refine their approaches.

Power at the Core of Change

If systems are the structure within which change happens, power is the fuel that drives it. Power dynamics are deeply embedded in the system, influencing who makes decisions, who controls resources, and whose voices are heard or marginalized. Being politically informed means understanding these dynamics, which are often complex and multilayered. It requires knowledge of a system’s history, its informal relationships, and the local institutions that influence its structure.

Srilatha Batliwala’s work on power provides a helpful framework for understanding and transforming power relations. She suggests five key questions for activists to consider: (1) What is power? (2) Where is it located? (3) What does it look like? (4) What are its sources? (5) How does it work?

1. What is power? Power is a multifaceted concept that can be understood as the ability to dominate or resist domination and the socialized norms and behaviors that shape society. In Melanesia, power is relational and dynamic, flowing between actors and structures. It is not static, but fluid, influenced by cultural and societal factors.
2. Where is power located? Power can be found in institutions, relationships, and cultural norms. For instance, in Melanesia, power operates within three central institutions: culture, church, and state. Navigating these institutions is essential for anyone attempting to drive social change in the region.
3. What does power look like? Batliwala categorizes power into several forms: visible power (observable decision-making), hidden power (agenda-setting behind the scenes), and invisible power (shaping meaning and what is acceptable). Understanding these forms of power is crucial for identifying how decisions are made and who controls the narrative.
4. What are its sources? To challenge systemic power, activists must understand the root causes of power structures and the mechanisms that sustain them. This requires looking at the historical, social, and cultural contexts that have shaped the system over time.
5. How does power work? Power can be expressed in multiple ways, including power over (domination), power with (collective action), power within (self-worth and knowledge), and power to (the capacity to act). Understanding these expressions of power can help change agents strategize more effectively and work toward transformative outcomes.

Framing Power for Social Change

The interaction between power and systems is not static but dynamic, requiring ongoing observation and reflection. In Melanesia, power is fluid and relational, often moving between individuals, groups, and institutions. Change agents must navigate formal spaces like government institutions and informal spaces like cultural norms and relationships. Recognizing these spaces and understanding how power operates within them is crucial for effective social change.

The Power Cube framework, developed by John Gaventa, is an excellent tool for analyzing the spaces, levels, and forms of power. It suggests that power operates at different levels (local, national, and global) and in different spaces (closed, invited, and claimed). For example, in closed spaces, a select few make decisions behind closed doors. In invited spaces, individuals are invited to participate, but those in power still hold control. Claimed spaces, however, are created by marginalized groups, providing opportunities for genuine participation and influence.

Understanding power in these different forms and spaces is essential for identifying opportunities to challenge and transform power dynamics. It also helps activists recognize the importance of building collective power and addressing the root causes of inequality.

Conclusion: The Iterative Nature of Social Change

Driving social change is not a one-time event but an iterative process. Change agents must continuously observe, reflect, and act, adapting their strategies as they go. Power is at the core of this process, and understanding how it operates within a system is key to creating lasting change. For activists and leaders in complex settings like Melanesia, embracing systems thinking and understanding power dynamics offers a roadmap for transformative and sustainable social change.

The vision for a just, equitable, and inclusive society begins with understanding how systems work and how power is distributed, enabling individuals and groups to challenge and change the structures that perpetuate inequality.