Political Power Flashcards
Power is a concept, but what is a concept?
They are tools which we think, criticise, argue, explain and analyse
Who said that power is an essentially contested concept?
Gallie (1956)
What is an essentially contested concept according to Gallie (1956)?
something that ‘reasonable men may argue interminably without ever reaching agreement on the true meaning and implication of the concept.
Why are authority and power different?
Authority requires consent
What is an example of power being exercised?
When A gets B to do something they otherwise wouldn’t have done.
What are the scholars that each of the 3 faces of power are associated?
Robert Dahl (1961) Bachrach and Baratz (1962) Stephen Lukes (1974)
How do we measure power?
There is no agreed way but some form are easier to recognise than others.
What are the ways to exercise power?
- Rational persuasion
- Manipulative persuasion
- Inducement
- Coercion
- Physical force
What is coercion?
power with no way out
what is inducement?
power through rewards and punishment
what are the three ways to exercise power according to Boulding (1989)?
The stick - force or intimidation
the deal - productive exchanges involving mutual gain
the kiss - creation of loyalty and obligations
What are the three faces of power?
- Decision-making
- Agenda setting
- Preference-shaping
What is the decision making face of power (Dahl)?
The ability to directly influence the making of decisions, emphasises doing. It is a pluralist approach.
What is a critique of the pluralist approach?
Wrong to assume that all can form groups
What is the agenda setting face of power? (Bachrach and Baratz)
the ability to prevent decisions from being made and the ability to set or control political agenda. Emphasises blocking.
