Main Object of Chapter To understand Meaning & Definitions of Power. Nature and features of Power. Types / kinds of Power.
Introduction In social science and politics , power is the ability to influence control the behavior of people. The term " authority " is often used for power perceived as legitimate by the social structure . Power can be seen as unjust , but the exercise of power is accepted as endemic to humans as social beings. In business , power is often expressed as being "upward" or "downward". With downward power, a company's superior influences subordinates. When a company exerts upward power, it is the subordinates who influence the decisions of their leader or leaders
Power may be regarded as one of the central concepts of political science. It is said that the concept of power holds the same status in the realm of political science as held by the concept of money in the realm of economics. It is the ability of a person to fulfill his desire or to achieve his objectives
CONCEPT OF POWER POWER is the capacity of an actor to compel or influence other actors to alter their behavior or to do what they would not do otherwise.
POWER may be measured in terms of its DOMAIN, SCOPE and WEIGHT.
DOMAIN OF POWER refers to the aggregate of individuals whose behavior it can alter.
SCOPE OF POWER covers the values implicated in the objectives of the power wielder.
WEIGHT OF POWER refers to the extent it affects policies
AUTHORITY refers to the formal or legal relationships between policymakers and citizens.
Influence is the capacity to produce an effect without the threat of coercion.
LEGITIMACY is the extent to which citizens regard the state and its institutions including its policies and programs as morally right and acceptable.
ATTITUDE is a learned predisposition towards political objects. It is an idea charged with emotions, which predisposes certain kinds of actions to a particular situation.
PUBLIC OPINION refers to the summation of the expressed or verbalized attitudes of individuals.
PERCEPTION is the expression of all those members of a group who are giving attention in any way to a given issue. It is a selection process by which individuals choose and organize stimuli that they think fit for their attention.
VALUES are enduring beliefs that a specific end-state of existing order or mode of conduct preferable to an opposite state. It includes the goals targeted by a political activity and the behavior employed in achieving said goals.
CONFLICT is a disharmony arising from stresses and strains due to some changes in the political environment.
DECISION-MAKING is the process by which authorized individuals or groups make decisions with the effect of allocating resources in the society through resolutions, laws, policies, programs, decrees, etc.
According to JOHN CALHOUN “ interests were destined to be varied and diverse in the society” Because of diversity, individuals tend to associate themselves.
Meaning Power, in its broadest sense, is the ability to influence the outcome of events. In the sense of having the ‘power, to do something. In global politics, this includes the ability of a country to conduct its own affairs without the interference of other countries, Power is usually thought of as a relationship: that is, as the ability to influence the behaviour of others in a manner not of their choosing, or ‘power over’ others. It is capacity of individual to impose ones will over the behaviour of others. It is a ability of the person to produce intended effects on others
when we say A is more powerful than B. It means B will act according to wishes of A. It denotes/ means the ability of a person to fulfill his desire or to achieve his objectives. Power is generally thought to involve bringing about of an action by someone against the will or desire of another. A powerful person creates situation when you do not have an option but to follow the wishes of the powerful person. It is ability to use force.
Definition George Schwarzenbarger : The power is the capacity to impose ones will on other by reliance on effective sanctions in case of non –compliance. Hans Morgantheau : the power of man over the minds and actions of other men.
Where does power come from? Formal Sources Coercive : Ability to punish, use of fear Rewards : Control over rewards Legitimate : Based on position Information : Access to or control of
Where does power come from? Personal Sources Expert : Knowledge or special skills Referent : Personal characteristics Charisma : Personality or style
Concept of Power Power - the ability to influence another person Influence - the process of affecting the thoughts, behavior, & feelings of another person Authority - the right to influence another person
Types of Power Political Power : It is essential to distinguish between formal and informal organs of power . Legislature , executive and judiciary are the traditionally recognized organs of power in a state. It represents formal organs . The obedience secured by these organs , backed by sanctions. It is important form of political power. Executive and legislature make various laws together such as collections of taxes, issue of licences , permits and regulate a large variety of citizen actions.
Informal organs of power are Political parties, Pressure groups, public opinion, popular movements, etc.
Economic Power: it is the power emanating from the possession of material things especially the major means of production and distribution . It is important factor behind politics. For instance big landlords, industrialist , businessman are able to influence public decisions regarding the fixation of priorities in economic development. The possessors of economic power exercise their influence on politics in several ways. Their pressures groups are stronger, more organized and more vocal. For instance , in India, the chambers of commerce and industry are very strong, the workers union are not strong, peasants union are less strong and consumers organizations are the weakest lot.
Ideological Power: it provies a more stable base of political power. It is promoted by ruling class in a given society regarding the best system of government. Ideology is a systematic set of arguments and belief used to justify an existing or desired social order. It provides legitimacy to the ruling classes and help them maintain their stronghold on political power. When the people are made to believe that a particular system of government is the best system , they will not oppose the authority of the ruling classes. the people express their approval to the rule of particular persons & policies under an ideological spell.
Military power: The military , also called the armed forces, are forces authorized to use deadly force , and weapons, to support the interests of the state and some or all of its citizens. The task of the military is usually defined as defense of the state and its citizens, and the prosecution of war against another state. Military power may refer to: The armed forces of a nation (in a narrow sense) or in the wider sense, the capabilities of a group such as a fire team, squad, etc. A great power , in a military context. Military power (jet engines), the maximum power setting of a military jet aircraft without the use of afterburners.