Philippine Politics and Governance - Lesson 3: Nature, Dimensions, Types, and Consequences of Power

1. Power
(Nature, Dimensions, Types, and
Consequences
Philippine Politics and Governance
Lesson 3

2. Objectives
Define power.
Identify the nature, dimensions/ types,
and consequences of power.
Analyze the nature, dimensions/ types,
and consequences of power.

3. What is Power?
Power in its broadest sense, as stated by
Heywood (2007) is the ability to achieve a
desired outcome and is sometimes seen
as the ‘power to’ do something.

4. What is Power?
He further explained that in the context of
politics and governance, power is usually
thought of as a relationship: the ability to
influence the behaviour of others or having
‘power over’ people and the ability to punish or
reward.

5. What is Power?
Both terms imply manipulation but it can be
manifested in different ways.
In politics, power is all about control and
influence which are used to achieve a certain
agenda.

6. What is Power?
Control imposes force on someone to do
something he/she does not want to do.
Influence uses persuasion; it aids in changing
the mindset or attitude of someone that
renders him/her to be obedient or do
something without hesitation.

7. Dimensions of Power
Power as Decision-Making
Power as Agenda Setting
Power as Thought Control

8. Dimensions of Power
Power as Decision-Making
This dimension of power consists of conscious
actions that in some way influence the content
of decisions.
The implication of this view of power is that the
most powerful actors in society are those whose
opinion are considered and upheld in the
decision making.

9. Dimensions of Power
Power as Agenda Setting
The second dimension of power as further discussed
by Heywood (2007) is the ability to prevent decisions
being made: that is, in effect, ‘non-decision-making’.
This according to him involves the ability to set or
control the political agenda, thereby preventing
issues or proposals from being aired in the first
place.

10. Dimensions of Power
Power as Thought Control
The third dimension of power, still according to
Heywood (2007) is the ability to influence
another by shaping what he or she thinks, wants,
or needs.
This is power expressed as ideological
indoctrination or psychological control.

11. Reward
Power
Coercive
Power
Legitimate
Power
Expert
Power
Referent
Power
Types of Power
According to French and Raven (1959) as cited by Yukl
(1989), there are different types of power, namely:

12. Types of Power
Expert Power - It is based on the perception that the
leader possesses some special knowledge, skills, or
talents and expertise.
Referent Power - It is based on the follower’s liking,
admiring, or identifying with the leader.
Reward Power - It is based on the leader’s capacity to
mediate rewards for the followers.

13. Types of Power
Legitimate Power - It is based on the follower’s
perception that the leader has the legitimate right or
authority to exercise control or influence over him or her.
Coercive Power - It is based on the follower’s fear that
non-compliance with leader’s wishes or commands will
lead to punishment.

14. AUTHORITY
Authority - It is the right to enforce
obedience without question and it exists
without the imposition of sanctions.
Authority has usually legal bases.
Human resources - It refers to the
number of persons who willingly render
obedience and cooperation to someone.
Sources of Power
HUMAN RESOURCES
SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE
PSYCHOLOGICAL
MATERIAL RESOURCES
SANCTIONS

15. AUTHORITY
Skills, Knowledge - Someone assumes
power because he/she is believed to
have expertise on something or has
special abilities.
Psychological factors - It refers to
habits and attitudes toward obedience
and submission, usually given voluntarily.
Sources of Power
HUMAN RESOURCES
SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE
PSYCHOLOGICAL
MATERIAL RESOURCES
SANCTIONS

16. AUTHORITY
Material Resources - The degree to
which a person controls property, natural
resources, financial resources, the
economic system, the means of
communication, and transportation.
Sanctions - The punishment for not
rendering obedience.
Sources of Power
HUMAN RESOURCES
SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE
PSYCHOLOGICAL
MATERIAL RESOURCES
SANCTIONS

17. Authority
Power is a prime ingredient of politics (Roskin et.al.,
2012). In political realm, power is exercised in the state
where authority is granted on the government.
Authority is power recognized as legitimate (legal)
which is why the government can enforce obedience
without question.

18. 1. Traditional Authority - Authority
is based on acceptance of and high
regard of traditions and customs.
This is why religious figures or leaders
are respected and obeyed.
Monarchies are examples of this
type.
Types of Authority

19. 2. Rational-legal Authority -
Authority is based on established
law. People obey the leader
because they accept his/her
power under the law.
Types of Authority

20. 3. Charismatic Authority -
Authority is based on personal
characteristics of a leader,
whose qualities are considered to
be exceptional.
Types of Authority

21. 4. Coercive Authority - Authority
is based on the use of force such
as police or military force to
demand obedience from the
subordinate
Types of Authority

22. Consequences of Power
There are three consequences of power
according to Yukl (1989): compliance,
commitment and resistance. He further
stressed that employing certain types of power in
particular ways may result into these
consequences.

23. Consequences of Power
It means
readiness or act
of agreeing to do
something.
Compliance
Commitment is an even
more desirable
outcome because of the
trust and emotional
pledge that it causes. It
is perceived as loyalty
or a sense of dedication
or devotion.
Commitment
It means to refuse or
to oppose. It is the
most likely outcome
when coercive power
is used in a hostile or
manipulative way. (Yukl
1989)
Resistance

24. Thank you!