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Power in political science of political theory

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Power is a fundamental concept in political theory, shaping how societies are organized, governed, and transformed. Here are key aspects of power in political theory: 1. **Definitions and Types of Power**: - **Coercive Power**: The ability to compel behavior through threats or force. - **Legitimate Power**: Authority recognized as rightful by those subjected to it, often through laws or norms. - **Economic Power**: Control over resources and wealth, influencing political and social outcomes. - **Cultural Power**: The ability to shape beliefs, values, and norms within a society. - **Soft Power**: Influence through attraction and persuasion, rather than coercion or payment. 2. **Classical Theories**: - **Machiavelli**: Focused on the pragmatic exercise of power, emphasizing cunning, pragmatism, and the effective use of force. - **Hobbes**: Viewed power as central to human nature and political order, advocating for a powerful sovereign to maintain peace and security. - **Weber**: Distinguished between different types of authority (traditional

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MOOC ON POLITICAL THEORY: CONCEPTS & DEBATES MODULE 6 POWER: Bases of Power & Authority
Introduction Power has a cognate concept, the concept of authority. Authority is a special case of power. This involves untested acceptance of another’s judgment/command, and suspension of self-judgment. Hence it is successful ordering or forbidding, domination or authoritarian power of command.
The sub-types of authority based on varying motivations for obedience, are: (i) Coercive authority: It is based on show or use of repressive force to which the object of authority (people, subject classes, or masses) is exposed. (ii) Authority by inducement: It is based on offer of rewards for compliance rather than on threat or actual inflicting of deprivations for non-compliance.
(iii) Legitimate authority: It is based on power-holder’s acknowledged right to command and power. The subjects, individually and collectively, have an acknowledged obligation to obey the commands of the legitimate authority. (iv) Competent authority: It is based on somebody claiming, enjoying authority on the public acceptance that s/he has certain skills and the best example is the bureaucracy. (v) Personal authority: It is based on the subject’s desire to serve /obey only because of the incumbent’s personal qualities (rather than role performance).
The modern state is the constitutional state. Even rogue leaders of the state create constitution for their state to insulate themselves from public criticism to the extent possible. Hence, the constitution is a great source of power and authority for the state. Bases of Power and Authority
Hobbesian Man’s experience of Power begins with experience of power which is locked in his own body
The objectives of a political movement may be social reform, re-defining culture, or initiate new economic programme. These are evidently political movements for change; some may even argue, for progress. The most acute form of such movement is revolution like the French Revolution or the October Revolution. Political Movements
Political movements themselves are power configurations. Every political movement has leadership, organization and a collective following whatever the size of the following. Leadership entails power and authority, and concomitantly, hierarchy, surveillance and control to secure compliance from the rank and file, particularly, the dissenters.
Reforming Power The nature of power as compliance- seeking has not radically changed. Only periodic and context specific attempts are made to make the compliance-seekers comply with certain norms in their exercise of power and authority.
The Gandhian project of swaraj also celebrates de-centered power as the most desirable arrangement.
Compared to creation of formal democracies, the progress of struggles to introduce democracy in everyday lives of primary and secondary groups has been slow. Those who are in power and hence benefit from the prevailing political inequality do not easily yield to democratizing processes -- as in power and politics in conventional senses.
Power in political science of political theory

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Power in political science of political theory

  • 1. MOOC ON POLITICAL THEORY: CONCEPTS & DEBATES MODULE 6 POWER: Bases of Power & Authority
  • 2. Introduction Power has a cognate concept, the concept of authority. Authority is a special case of power. This involves untested acceptance of another’s judgment/command, and suspension of self-judgment. Hence it is successful ordering or forbidding, domination or authoritarian power of command.
  • 3. The sub-types of authority based on varying motivations for obedience, are: (i) Coercive authority: It is based on show or use of repressive force to which the object of authority (people, subject classes, or masses) is exposed. (ii) Authority by inducement: It is based on offer of rewards for compliance rather than on threat or actual inflicting of deprivations for non-compliance.
  • 4. (iii) Legitimate authority: It is based on power-holder’s acknowledged right to command and power. The subjects, individually and collectively, have an acknowledged obligation to obey the commands of the legitimate authority. (iv) Competent authority: It is based on somebody claiming, enjoying authority on the public acceptance that s/he has certain skills and the best example is the bureaucracy. (v) Personal authority: It is based on the subject’s desire to serve /obey only because of the incumbent’s personal qualities (rather than role performance).
  • 5. The modern state is the constitutional state. Even rogue leaders of the state create constitution for their state to insulate themselves from public criticism to the extent possible. Hence, the constitution is a great source of power and authority for the state. Bases of Power and Authority
  • 6. Hobbesian Man’s experience of Power begins with experience of power which is locked in his own body
  • 7. The objectives of a political movement may be social reform, re-defining culture, or initiate new economic programme. These are evidently political movements for change; some may even argue, for progress. The most acute form of such movement is revolution like the French Revolution or the October Revolution. Political Movements
  • 8. Political movements themselves are power configurations. Every political movement has leadership, organization and a collective following whatever the size of the following. Leadership entails power and authority, and concomitantly, hierarchy, surveillance and control to secure compliance from the rank and file, particularly, the dissenters.
  • 9. Reforming Power The nature of power as compliance- seeking has not radically changed. Only periodic and context specific attempts are made to make the compliance-seekers comply with certain norms in their exercise of power and authority.
  • 10. The Gandhian project of swaraj also celebrates de-centered power as the most desirable arrangement.
  • 11. Compared to creation of formal democracies, the progress of struggles to introduce democracy in everyday lives of primary and secondary groups has been slow. Those who are in power and hence benefit from the prevailing political inequality do not easily yield to democratizing processes -- as in power and politics in conventional senses.