Non-domination, contestation and freedom : the contribution of Philip Pettit to learning and democracy in organizations.

Abstract

This article provides a reading of the civic republican ideas of the political philosopher, Philip Pettit in order to make new contributions to learning within organizational life. Our aim is to achieve non-domination in the workplace, and we suggest how Pettit’s work, through the provision of a democratic constitution and development of the resources of individuals and groups, might inspire eminently practical ways in which to increase freedom and minimize asymmetries of power at work. Such asymmetries have long been an ingrained feature of organizations, confounding even the most progressive attempts to increase opportunities to learn and act within organizations. We do not, therefore, underestimate the problems involved. Nevertheless we advance our arguments as new– but practicable – contributions to progressive forms of management learning.