| Abstract: | The purpose of this study was to examine one community‐based, interagency policy effort from two contrasting perspectives: critical theory (modernist) and postmodernist. To illustrate this juxtaposition we explored neighbourhood resident participation in community‐based interagency collaboration within the context of decentralization. Using qualitative methodology, we observed team meetings and interviewed participants. While community‐based interagency collaboration could be considered an ‘empowering’ strategy for community residents, from poststructural perspectives it could be a way to maintain the status quo. Through the analysis, we unpack this dichotomy of critical versus poststructural perspectives ‐empowerment versus the reinforcement of existing power relationships ‐ by suggesting that poststructural perspectives of power can flow between residents and agency team members. We deconstruct the assumption that such a policy initiative is either empowering or constraining by suggesting it could be both for all participants involved. |
