Political Concepts of Political Concepts of Power and AuthorityPower and Authority

Alternative PerspectivesAlternative Perspectives

Steven Lukes on Power: An Steven Lukes on Power: An Alternative Look at PowerAlternative Look at Power

Steven Lukes provides a different Steven Lukes provides a different viewpoint of power and authority to Max viewpoint of power and authority to Max Weber’s three types of authority.Weber’s three types of authority.

Luke identifies three face of powerLuke identifies three face of power Decision MakingDecision Making Non Decision MakingNon Decision Making Shaping DesiresShaping Desires

Luke claims that Weber was only Luke claims that Weber was only addressing the first face of power- decision addressing the first face of power- decision makingmaking

Decision MakingDecision Making

The power to make and implement The power to make and implement decisionsdecisions

Non Decision MakingNon Decision Making The power to set agendas and The power to set agendas and

therefore limit what is being therefore limit what is being discussed – certain issues are discussed – certain issues are stopped by the powerful never stopped by the powerful never reaching the point where decisions reaching the point where decisions are made.are made.

How does non Decision Making How does non Decision Making Power Work?Power Work?

The powerful can ignore the demands The powerful can ignore the demands of the weak by delay, avoidance, or of the weak by delay, avoidance, or mass bureaucracy, or inconclusive mass bureaucracy, or inconclusive inquiries.inquiries.

Issues are avoided that the powerful Issues are avoided that the powerful anticipate will cause opposition.anticipate will cause opposition.

Shaping Desired (Ideological Shaping Desired (Ideological Power)Power)

The power to manipulate what people think The power to manipulate what people think they want- powerful groups can make they want- powerful groups can make people think they want or consent to people think they want or consent to something which is actually harmful to their something which is actually harmful to their interests.interests. E.g.. Nuclear proliferation based on the idea that E.g.. Nuclear proliferation based on the idea that

if we have more they (our perceived enemies) if we have more they (our perceived enemies) will not attack.will not attack.

Ideological power is exerted through Ideological power is exerted through ideological institutions such as political ideological institutions such as political parties and religion.parties and religion.

Other Competing Models of PowerOther Competing Models of Power

Functionalists:Functionalists: Functionalist writers use a consensus model of Functionalist writers use a consensus model of

society. society. The norms and values of society are generally The norms and values of society are generally

agreed. agreed. Value consensus ensures shared values and Value consensus ensures shared values and

collective goals; consequently, the more a society collective goals; consequently, the more a society is able to meet collective goals, the more power it is able to meet collective goals, the more power it has. has.

Thus, a variable-sum model of power is proposed. Thus, a variable-sum model of power is proposed. In the functionalist model, power is held by society In the functionalist model, power is held by society as a whole. It is aas a whole. It is a social resource.social resource.

MarxistsMarxists Marxists believe that particular groups for their own Marxists believe that particular groups for their own

benefit, and at the expense of others - hold power in benefit, and at the expense of others - hold power in society a zero-sum model of power. society a zero-sum model of power.

The dominant group uses power to further its own The dominant group uses power to further its own interests, which conflict with the rest of society. interests, which conflict with the rest of society.

In the Marxist model, power lies in the economic In the Marxist model, power lies in the economic infrastructure, which is owned and controlled by a infrastructure, which is owned and controlled by a minority for its own interests. This minority constitutes minority for its own interests. This minority constitutes a ruling class. a ruling class.

The acceptance of ruling class dominance is an aspect The acceptance of ruling class dominance is an aspect of false consciousness and ideological hegemony.of false consciousness and ideological hegemony.

The inequalities that stem from the relation to the The inequalities that stem from the relation to the means of production extend into other areas of social means of production extend into other areas of social life - this unequal relationship is reflected in the legal life - this unequal relationship is reflected in the legal system, the medical system and education, for system, the medical system and education, for example.example.

The EndThe End