Week 4: Power Flashcards
as cited in Robert Dahl’s “The Concept of Power”, how can power be defined ?
it may be defined in terms of a relation between people and is expressed in simple symbolic notation.
he ability to influence others to believe, behave, or to value as those in power desire them to or to strengthen, validate, or confirm present beliefs, behaviors, or values
power
the social force that allows select persons to mobilize others; to organize others to act in concert; and to melt away resistance to leaders’ authority
power
Power manifests itself in several forms; among these are:
expert power, reward power, legitimate power, referent power, and coercive power.
Other forms of power include:
information power, tradition power, and charismatic power
this type of power is based on what one knows, what experience one has, and/or what special talents one has. Expertise can be demonstrated by demonstration, by reputation, or by offering appropriate credentials certifying expertise
expert power
based on the right of some to offer tangible, social, emotional, or spiritual rewards to others for doing what is wanted or expected of them or to deny others something tangible, social, emotional, political, or spiritual for failing to or refusing to do what is desired or expected of them
reward power
results from one’s being elected, selected, or appointed to a position of authority. Such legitimacy is conferred by others and this legitimacy can be revoked by the original granters, their designees, or their inheritors
legitimate power
stems from the affiliations we make and/or the groups/organizations we belong to or are attached to. The ethos of our associates or groups to which we belong become, to some degree, our own ethos
referent power
exists when the use of or the threat of force is made to extract compliance from another. Force is not limited to physical means; social, emotional, political, or economic force is also included
coercive power
in our society, is seen as inappropriate; however, many victimizers and some victims Fail to recognize coercion or do not know how to counter coercion when it befalls them and it typically portends fear, distrust, a lack of positive regard for the powerful, and no loyalty toward the powerful.
coercion
comes as a result of possessing knowledge that others need or want. Information possessed that no one needs or wants is powerless. This power type also extends to the ability to get information not presently held such as a case with a librarian or data base manager
information power
is that force that is exerted upon us to conform to traditional ways. Traditions, for the most part, are social constructs; they invite, seduce, or compel us to conform and act in predictable, patterned ways. Breaking with traditions put people at risk of social alienation
tradition power
is that aura possessed by only a few individuals in our midst; it is characterized by super confidence, typical physical attractiveness, social adroitness, amiability, sharpened leadership skills, and heightened charm.
charismatic power
