Etc Quote by Barney Frank
“But when others suggested that the poor should not simply be the objects of these programs but also the subjects - that they should be actively involved in shaping the programs, making decisions about how to spend the money etc. - some of the previous supporters reconsidered.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Congressional testimony on community development, 1990s
Empowering the poor to shape policies leads to stronger support and better outcomes.
In simple terms: Include those affected in decisions.
Key Takeaway
Involve beneficiaries in program design.
Themes
participation
empowerment
policy
community
social justice
Mood
hopeful
determined
Type
advocacy
policy
social
When to use this quote
- urban planning
- social services
- non‑profit programs
- local budgeting
Key Concepts
bottom‑up governance
agency
collective decision‑making
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we ensure meaningful participation?
- What structures support effective co‑creation?
A Different Perspective
May lack expertise among participants, requiring capacity building.
![“Neither Italian fascism nor German national "socialism" have anything in common with such a [Soviet socialistic] society, primarily because private ownership of factories, plants, lands, banks, means of transportation, etc., remain untouched there, and, therefore, capitalism in Germany and Italy…” quote by Joseph Stalin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/411/joseph-stalin-1734_capitalism_neither-italian-fascism-nor-german-natio_1430.jpg)
