Understanding power in order to share hope: A tribute to David Smail

Abstract

The psychological consequences of poverty, abuse and discrimination are palpable and debilitating, and clinical and community psychologists are in a position to represent this in our research and practice. We can account for how economic, social and organisational inequalities and deprivation influence communities and individuals, and understand how social processes can be undermining and also how they can generate resilience. We can also use our resources to work with others actively and publicly.While recognising that psychological interventions are inherently limited and problematic, I would like to suggest that they may share hopeful ways forward with individuals, organisations and communities. Acknowledging and understanding the overwhelming physical and emotional consequences of the misuse of power can be a validating process that generates collaborative alliances. We can draw on David Smail’s framework for analysing people’s proximal powers in the context of distal forces to consider the scope people have to act individually or collectively, and to be open about the limitations and potential of psychological interventions.