The paradox of tenant empowerment: regulatory and liberatory possibilities

McKee, K. and Cooper, V. (2008) The paradox of tenant empowerment: regulatory and liberatory possibilities. Housing, Theory and Society, 25(2), pp. 132-146. (doi: 10.1080/14036090701657363)

Abstract

Tenant empowerment has traditionally been regarded as a means of realising democratic ideals: a quantitative increase in influence and control, which thereby enables "subjects" to acquire the fundamental properties of "citizens". By contrast governmentality, as derived from the work of Michel Foucault, offers a more critical appraisal of the concept of empowerment by highlighting how it is itself a mode of subjection and a means of regulating human conduct towards particular ends. Drawing on particular data about how housing governance has changed in Glasgow following its 2003 stock transfer, this paper adopts the insights of governmentality to illustrate how the political ambition of "community ownership" has been realized through the mobilization and shaping of active tenant involvement in the local decision making process. In addition, it also traces the tensions and conflict inherent in the reconfiguration of power relations post-transfer for "subjects" do not necessarily conform to the plans of those that seek to govern them.

• Item Type: Articles
• Keywords: Social housing, community ownership, tenant participation, empowerment, governmentality, Foucault.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: McKee, Dr Kimberly
• Authors: McKee, K., and Cooper, V.
• Subjects: H Social Sciences > HT Communities. Classes. Races
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Geographical and Earth Sciences
• Journal Name: Housing, Theory and Society
• Publisher: Routledge
• ISSN: 1651-2278
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2008 Routledge
• First Published: First published in Housing, Theory and Society 25(2):132-146
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher