Dynamics of Power

1_ Power and Authority
    Max Weber has defined power as, ‘the chance of a man or a number of men to realize their own will in a communal actioneven against the resistance of others who are participating in the action’. Power is an aspect of social relationships because no one can hold it in isolation. Weber considers the power as the degree to which an individual or group can get its own way in a relationship. It extends to every aspect of life like parents assigning domestic chores to their children, teachers enforcing discipline in the classroom, political party enacting legislation etc. 
   Here, an individual or group have power to the degree to which others comply with their will. Many Sociologists argue that ‘Political Sociology’ is the study of power in its broadest sense. Dowse and Hughes state that ‘politics is about “power”, politics occurs when there are differentials in power’.
2_ Definitions of power
   “Power is ability to influence the behaviour of others in accordance with one’s own ends” - Herbert Goldhamer and Edward Shill
“Power is a capacity to impose one’s will over another by reliance on effective sanctions in case of non-compliance”-
George Schwarzenberg.
“Power is the relationship in which one person or a group is able to determine the actions of another in direction of the former’s own ends”- David Easton.
Power as “the production of intended effects” is how Bertrand Russell defined the concept.
3_ Characteristics of power
 Power is situational in nature – It depends on situation and position of person. When an officer retires he will not be obeyed by the subordinates as before.
 It depends on its use – Power is related to how its used. For example, President of India has vast powers but he will not be using it in the same manner as the President of United States of America.
 Power should be backed by sanctions –It is relational in nature, at least two actors are required, one who exercises the power and the other upon whom the power is exercised.
 Power is not absolute but relative in nature – the power relationship may change according to the circumstances.
 Power has two aspects – actual and potential –former is the power which a person or community actually uses and the later, the power which a person or community can exercise although the same may not be actually exercised. 
 Power can be exercised through persuasion as well as repression – this is explained by Althusser as Ideological State Apparatus and Repressive State Apparatus. Persuasion is the most effective method of exercising power which is mainly done through family, educational institutions where as later by military, army etc.
4_ Forms of power
 Economic power
 Social power
 Political power
 Knowledge power
 Military power
 Ideological power
5_  Sources of power

Wealth

Control over
means

Knowledge

Sources of
power

Status of
individual

Personal skills

Organisation

Mass media

Faith

6_ Analysis of power
Political analysis is concerned with four aspects of power and these have constituted political problems from early period onwards. They are:
a) Power of states over other states – Arab countries wielding power over other states through oil.
b) Power of Government over society - power comes out with the responsibilities of officials who function as instruments of society.
c) Power of society over Government – Power comes from the society and it determines the officials responsibilities.
d) Power in conflict resolution and decision – making processes - power in terms of decision making whether its direct or indirect.
7_ The Differences Between Power and Authority :
The major differences between power and authority are as follows:
Power	Authority	
Ability of an individual to influence others and control their actions.
	It is the formal and legal right to give orders and commands and take decisions.	
It is a personal trait.	It is a formal right, that vests in the hands of high officials or management personnel.	
Major source of power is knowledge and expertise.

	Position and office determine the authority of a person.	
Power flows in any direction that is, it can be upward, downward, crosswise or diagonal, lateral.

	Authority flows only in one direction, that is downward (from superior to subordinate).	
Power lies in person, in essence, a person acquires it.

	Authority lies in the designation	
Power is not legitimate.

	It is legitimate.	
Flexible and dynamic.

	Technical and static.	
.