The Power of Balance: Transforming Self, Society, and Scientific Inquiry

Presenting a new theory of power, a new practice of management and a new theory of social science, this volume contradicts the following received wisdoms: that `all power corrupts′; that all organizational structure constrains; and that social science is `purer′ the more it is divorced from action. Torbert presents a conceptualization of power that generates productivity, justice and inquiry; develops a theory of `liberating structure′ through which organizations can generate continual quality improvement; and introduces a new paradigm of engaged social science - `action inquiry′.