ABSTRACT
Equalising empowerment is about achieving and guaranteeing the political equality of every member of the social system concerning governance, management, and decision-making. The formal and psychological dimensions of empowerment are indeed highly relevant. The empowerment of the few and disempowerment of the many are often intertwined, and they influence and mutually reinforce each other considerably. Psychological empowerment focuses on individuals as such – their feelings and perceptions of being empowered, their mindsets, and their personal identities. The formal, psychological, and/or social empowerment of the few is problematic and illegitimate when it happens at the expense of others, threatens others’ fundamental and inalienable rights, or otherwise impacts negatively on their legitimate interests, equal opportunities, life chances, or personal development. The formal, psychological, and social empowerment of the few constitutes serious and systemic problems for the democratic organisation as well as for most of its members.
