Meanings and Power of Agency | Generated by AI
The word “agency” has several meanings depending on the context:
- Organization or Business:
An agency is a company or organization that provides a specific service, often on behalf of others. Examples include:
- Advertising agency (e.g., Ogilvy)
- Travel agency (e.g., Expedia)
- Government agency (e.g., NASA, EPA)
- Action or Intervention:
Agency refers to the capacity or ability of a person or group to act independently and make their own choices. For example:
- “She demonstrated agency by starting her own business.”
- In philosophy or sociology, it often contrasts with “structure,” highlighting individual freedom vs. societal constraints.
- Legal or Representation: An agency relationship exists when one party (the agent) acts on behalf of another (the principal), such as a lawyer representing a client.
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