Page 129 - Mike Ratner CC - WISR Complete Dissertation - v6

While an overview was addressed within the Lit Review section that considers Group

Theories, with respect to the significance of the composition of the group itself in processes of

DD; deliberative democracy, Locher (2004) examined the exercise of power within the context of

disagreements and exchanges among large and small groups of people. The main premise of

Locher’s research was that the exercise of power has the potential to occur in any situation in

which there is interaction between two or more people. Using this premise, the researcher explored

“power and politeness in naturally occurring linguistic data” (p. 93). Locher’s research thus

examined the influence of disagreement and politeness on power relationships, communication

and relational work, using Kakava’s (1993) definition of disagreement, namely, “an oppositional

stance (verbal or non-verbal) to an antecedent verbal (or non-verbal) action” (p. 95) in the context

of interactions and previous actions among individuals in pairs and groups.

In particular, Locher (2004) introduced the concepts of symmetrical and asymmetrical

power, while investigating “the actual exercise of power occurring in disagreements” (p. 3). An

aim of participatory engagements and deliberative dialogue is to minimize power by allowing, in

theory, equal voice among the individuals assembled, and equality in the consideration of ideas

and opinions shared. A focus on disagreements and challenges resulting from conflict inherent in

the exercise of power provided a container for Locher to study the “potential co-occurrence of

relational work and politeness” that can arise in human interactions and relationships.

Locher’s research on power relationships and disagreement investigated important

concepts about power. Her work explored the exercise of power in relation to freedom, and

relational aspects of power relative to resistance and negotiation. In developing an understanding

of power, the dynamic in human interaction, Locher (2004) produced the following concise

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