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Agency Power and Governance: Cornell Studies in Political Economy

Cormac McCarthy

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Published in Networked Politics: Agency Power And Governance (Cornell Studies In Political Economy)

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Networked Politics: Agency, Power, and Governance (Cornell Studies in Political Economy)

by Precarity Lab

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1389 KB
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Print length	:	287 pages

Agency power is the ability of an individual or group to act on behalf of another individual or group. This power can be formal, as in the case of a government agency, or informal, as in the case of a social movement. Agency power can be used to promote or undermine democratic values, and it is a key factor in shaping political and economic outcomes.

The concept of agency power has been extensively studied by political scientists and economists at Cornell University. The Cornell Studies in Political Economy series has published a number of groundbreaking works on this topic, including Peter Evans's Embedded Autonomy and Judith Goldstein's Ideas, Interests, and American Trade Policy.

This article draws on the work of Cornell scholars to develop a comprehensive framework for understanding how agency power shapes political and economic outcomes. The article also provides a detailed case study of the US Federal Reserve to illustrate how agency power can be used to promote or undermine democratic values.

The Concept of Agency Power

There are two main types of agency power: structural power and discursive power. Structural power is the ability to control resources and institutions, while discursive power is the ability to shape the way that people think about the world. Both types of power can be used to promote or undermine democratic values.

Structural power can be used to promote democratic values by ensuring that all citizens have access to basic resources and services. For example, a government agency that provides healthcare to all citizens is using its structural power to promote democratic values. Structural power can also be used to undermine democratic values by denying access to resources and services to certain groups of people. For example, a government agency that discriminates against a particular minority group is using its structural power to undermine democratic values.

Discursive power can be used to promote democratic values by creating a climate of open and respectful dialogue. For example, a social movement that advocates for the rights of all citizens is using its discursive power to promote democratic values. Discursive power can also be used to undermine democratic values by creating a climate of fear and intolerance. For example, a hate group that spreads propaganda against a particular minority group is using its discursive power to undermine democratic values.

Agency power is a complex and multifaceted concept. It can be used to promote or undermine democratic values, and it is a key factor in shaping political and economic outcomes. It is important to understand the different types of agency power and how they can be used in order to make informed decisions about how to use this power to promote democratic values.

The Case of the Federal Reserve

The Federal Reserve is an independent agency of the United States government that is responsible for regulating the nation'

Networked Politics: Agency, Power, and Governance (Cornell Studies in Political Economy)

by Precarity Lab

5 out of 5