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Community Psychology and Transformative Policy Change in the Neo‐liberal Era
Author(s) -
Nelson Geoffrey
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
american journal of community psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.113
H-Index - 112
eISSN - 1573-2770
pISSN - 0091-0562
DOI - 10.1007/s10464-013-9591-5
Subject(s) - transformative learning , health psychology , community psychology , policy studies , public policy , sociology , policy analysis , public relations , political science , public administration , social psychology , psychology , public health , law , medicine , pedagogy , nursing
I present ideas about how community psychologists, as researcher‐activists, can influence public policy. I begin by describing the current neo‐liberal era, noting the immense obstacles it poses to progressive policy change. Next I contrast two approaches to understanding policy formation, evidence‐based policy and discursive policy analysis, and argue that transformative policy change can benefit from both approaches. I then propose three types of policy outcomes that community psychology research and activism should aim to promote: (a) shaping problem definition, (b) controlling channels for debate and participation, and (c) allocating resources. I use examples from community psychologists’ involvement in policy, mostly in Canada, to illustrate how such policy change can be both achieved and constrained. I conclude by discussing implications for theory and practice related to policy change.