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Modus Operandi
The four steps to power of the dominated
This model was developed as a method that allows people in situations of injustice to quickly visualize the steps that can allow them to change their situation. The staircase diagram has several advantages:
- A progressive ascent:
The staircase shows the successive steps to be followed in order to lead to better cooperation between opposing interests. Climbing the steps requires effort, and it therefore becomes clear to the protagonists that a transformation of the situation will not be immediate, and that it requires consistent work to climb the four steps. It is at the top that success waits, in the same way as at the top of a podium.
- A clear view of the different steps:
The diagram shows a procedure that should be followed and clarifies the steps to be taken. For those who are angry and want to change their situation the staircase provides the initial steps for organizing and making priorities. In doing so, it serves as an easily accessible guide to channel anger into a positive energy.
- Don’t skip a step
The two deadlocks that we spoke of previously are, in reality, attempts to skip steps. The deadlock of blind anger is an attempt to skip the two steps of ‘Sharing Anger’ and ‘Organization.’ The deadlock of illusions is an attempt to directly pass by the step of ‘Negotiation’ without sufficiently organizing and without developing a ‘Capacity for Action’ that would give real power to the negotiation.
The image of the staircase allows the importance of a particular progression to be more clearly visualized.
- Moving to the next step
Using the image of the staircase, the actors can determine where they are in the process of collective action. Were a sufficient number of people contacted? Is the organization solid enough? Is one capable of directing different actions?
These questions allow the actors to establish which step they are on. From there, the next question is how one can go on to the next step? The bubbles above the arrows in the diagram show the different methods to achieve this.
- Negotiation as the ultimate, final step
In the diagram, the final step is Negotiation. Confronting the adversary is the last step in the staircase as it is the one that grants access to victory and real gains. One leaves anger and follows the path towards being face-to-face with the adversary in order to change the factors that caused the initial anger. The staircase aims to showcase negotiation as the ultimate end. When there is a conflict of interest only the process of true negotiation between these interests can lead to a just resolution.