Power

Power: the ability of individuals or groups to make their own

interests or concerns count, even when others resist. (Weber)
Coercion: To compel by force or its threatened use.
Manipulation: To conceal the real intent behind an action in order to
gain an advantage.
Persuasion: To appeal or suggest to others the merits of a particular
action whilst accepting the possibility of refusal
Authority: Something that is claimed, and once recognized, serves
as the basis by which others willingly comply.
Legitimate use of power, usually not necessary to back up by
coercive force
Past notion of an authority figure, someone whose judgment
could be trusted would probably have been given the benefit
of doubt over the risks involved in some particular activity.
In the public eye such authorities dispense wisdom that
could only be gained through specialized bodies of knowledge
or expertise.
According to Giddens, we no longer live in a period where
trust in an authority is easily given or where faith in the
experts is willingly conceded.
o We have become increasingly disenchanted by those
who claim to be experts and rely on the authority of
science to back up their claims.
Domination: To impose or constrain the free choice of others despite
possible resistance.
All about constraint and removal of choice.
In the language of hard power, people have no choice but to
submit.
Legitimacy: having the consent of those subject to authority;
legitimate power is recognized as valid and justified.
POWER IS RELATIONAL
Involves 2 or more actors/groups
Power could be institutionalized, has a structure, is backed up
by a belief system, making its use legitimate.
o But there can be resistance.

Summary

The exercise of institutional power involves different modes,

from coercion and manipulation to domination and authority.
Authority is seen in 2 ways,
o As someone in authority by virtue of their position in a
particular institution or as an authority in some
particular field of expertise

Lukes 3 faces of power

1. Who makes decisions? Situational, and tied to particular issues
2. Who sets the agenda? Define key issues and decide what is to
be included or excluded.
3. Who benefits? Park vs crematorium

Parsons variable model of power

Power can expand or contract like credit creation

Power used for collective benefits

Marxist theory of power

Capitalist class relations the power structure serves the

interest of the capitalist class
The state = executive committee of the capitalist class
Ideological hegemony = dominant class seeks to maintain its
position by persuading subordinate classes that its values are
in the interest of all
o Subordinate classes accept/consent to domination

C.W. Mills Power Elite theory

A well integrated and partly self perpetuating power elite

linked by friendship and familial ties and share common
backgrounds

Pluralist theory of power

Power is dispersed among a variety of competing interest

groups.
Decision making is through process of bargaining.

Webers theory of power

Max Webers theory of power:

Issue of power and who gets it is straightforward.
o Either you have it or you dont no halfway situation
o Those that hold power use it to further their objectives,
despite possible resistance from others.
Institutional setting
o Power is a hierarchal and top down affair
o Distribution of power is clear for all to see
Obedience in such a setting is not something that is
automatically given.
o Has to be secured by those IN authority and the basis
for this varies depending upon whether we are talking
about authority in the family or office military etc
Only where authority is seen to be legitimate is
the compliance of others forthcoming.
3 bases of power according to Weber:
1. Traditional: beliefs and practices passed down from generation
to generation; sometimes seen as sacred.
2. Charismatic: beliefs that leaders have exceptional qualities
deserving respect and devotion
3. Legal rational: explicit laws that define legitimate uses of
power
a. Not arbitrary or dependent on whims and fancies of
those in power.

Michel Foucaults theory of power

Michel Foucault:
Power is NEVER in any ones hands.
o Power does not show itself in this manner
o In fact, it does not show itself in any obvious, willed
manner.
But rather, something that works its way into our
imaginations and serves to constrain how we act.
Large workplace or government body
o Power circulates through organizational practices
Compliance is also not a straightforward manner
o Depends on how far individuals internalize what is being
laid down as obvious or self evident
o Institutional power works best when they are persuaded
to collude in their own subjugation
Elitist rule of many by few
Iron law of oligarchy
o Organizations grow in size and complexity
o Run by officials who became indispensable
o Entrenched features of officials
o Apathy and lack of involvement of members

o Started out democratic, ended up less than democratic.

MINDMAP OF WEBER AND FOUCAULTS POWER THEORIES.

PATRIARCHAL AUTHORITY Weber

Patriarchal domination relies on the personal authority of the
master, the male head of the household.
o He is said to possess authority on the basis of personal
relations which are considered natural and enduring.
o Rooted in tradition passed down from one generation to
another.
o Bolstered by filial bonds
o Dutiful conduct.