Concept of Power

1. Power`
By
Mr. Mahesh Jaiwantrao Patil
M.A. (Political Science), M.Phil, NET, SET, & Ph.D (Pursuing)
Assistant Professor,
Narayanrao Chavan Law College, Nanded, Maharashtra, India
Cell No.(+91) 09860816313
Copyright ©2005 by South-Western, a division of Thomson Learning. All rights reserved.

2. Main Object of Chapter
To understand
 Meaning & Definitions of Power.
 Nature and features of Power.
 Types / kinds of Power.

3. 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

4.  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


5. 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

6.  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.

7. 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.

8. 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

9. Where does power come from?
Personal Sources
 Expert: Knowledge or special skills
 Referent: Personal characteristics
 Charisma: Personality or style

10. 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

11. 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.

12.  Informal organs of power are Political parties, Pressure
groups, public opinion, popular movements, etc.

13.  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.

14.  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.

15.  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.

16.  Rank 1United, 2 Russia, 3. China, 4Japan