The Importance of a Relational Analysis

Given the significance of relationships for social and political well-being, and for the delivery of public services, it is important that any political settlement be analysed in terms of its impact on all the relationships that make up a society. Structures should be both politically viable and foster relationships that contribute to greater well-being of individuals and communities. This is not to diminish the importance of the political process; the relationships between political parties, within parties, and between the political leaders and the communities they represent are perhaps most significant.

A relational analysis is concerned with:

• whether the necessary relationships are in place to sustain both the process and the resulting structures;
• the impact of both the process and structures on key relationships.

Structures that presume a set of relationships which do not in fact exist, or are different to those assumed, will be more likely to fail. Structures and processes which are conducive to the development of relationships are more likely to succeed.

<< previous | next >>