Power
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All politics is about
power – achieving and maintaining it – Hobbes – basic human urge is to seek ‘power after power’. Programmed –
Dawkins’ selfish gene. Conservative viewpoint.
·
The ability to get
someone to do something they otherwise wouldn’t do – ‘power to’.
·
Distinguished with
authority by power being the ability to do and authority right to do.
·
Distinction from
influence – ability to affect outcome even if not having actual final power to
decide – influence is a minor form of power by affecting their actions without
inciting force/fear – e.g. manipulation.
·
Lukes sees
power in three forms: decision-making, agenda setting and thought control.
·
Decision-making – associated with liberal and pluralist perceptions focussing on who
actually makes the decisions. Boulding argues
decision-making influenced in three ways: the stick (coercion), the deal
(mutual benefit through negotiation), and the kiss (sense of loyalty and
commitment to individual, thus he has power).
·
Dahl observed decision-making
‘Critique of the ruling elite model’ and found no single elite in charge,
pluralist approach, everyone has a say. Different groups have a say on
different aspects. Reality was an “example of a democratic system warts and
all”.
·
Elitist critiques argue
this fails to understand unequal influence of key elites – real decisions made
by a fixed elite – real power belongs to banks and military C.Wright Mills.
·
Hobbes – physical or
mechanical power whereby power is used against an individual’s will –
individual is subservient to it, otherwise life would be nasty, brutish and
short. Advocates strong, monarchical government.
