Cracks in the culture of silence and beyond — Paulo Freire and others

The writings of Brazilian adult educator Paulo Freire (1921-1997) exert considerable influence on social development theory and practice.  Among the terms he used was “cracks in the culture of silence” and “conscientization” — both of which relate to fostering equitable and participatory social structures.  

This is a brief and partial adaptation of some of Freire's work, focusing on the transition from what he called “structures of domination” toward what some other authors, such as Riane Eisler, call “the partnership way” – a social structure which does not have a dominator-dominated relationship among its various groups.  Freire's work helps to understand the conditions of populations in societies that are at various points along this trajectory.