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power

The document discusses the concept of power in politics, distinguishing between 'hard' and 'soft' power. It outlines visible forms of power such as coercion, intimidation, and persuasion, as well as hidden forms like fear and exclusion. Additionally, it identifies key sources of power, including strength, wealth, status, and knowledge.

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3 views7 pages

power

The document discusses the concept of power in politics, distinguishing between 'hard' and 'soft' power. It outlines visible forms of power such as coercion, intimidation, and persuasion, as well as hidden forms like fear and exclusion. Additionally, it identifies key sources of power, including strength, wealth, status, and knowledge.

Uploaded by

nngenge2004
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Power

Governing Regimes
PS 1003:Introduction to Political science II

1
Power
• Power, in its broadest sense, is the ability to achieve a desired outcome, and it
is sometimes referred to in terms of the ‘power to’ do something.

• In politics, however, as the ability to influence the behavior of others in a


manner not of their choosing.

• More narrowly, power may be associated with the ability to punish or reward,
bringing it close to force or manipulation, in contrast to ‘influence’.

• It is referred to in terms of having ‘power over’ people.

• A distinction has also been drawn between ‘hard’ power and ‘soft’ power.
Hard Power
Visible vs. Hidden Power

• Visible Power a powerful person or group uses visible actions to make a less
powerful person or group do what they want.

• Some of the most common kinds of visible power are:

• Coercion: making someone do what you want by force (e.g. through violence
or imprisonment).

• Intimidation: making someone do what you want by using the threat of


coercion.

• Persuasion: making someone do what you want by negotiating with them


until they accept to do what you want.
• Creating incentives: making someone do what you want by offering rewards
(e.g. money, employment or other resources).

• If incentives are given to do something which is wrong or illegal, this is called


bribery depending on the situation, creating incentives can be either visible
or hidden.

• Hidden Power a powerful person or group uses ideas and beliefs to make a
less powerful person or group do what they want.

• Some of the most common kinds of hidden power are:

• Fear: People do what you want because they are afraid of you.

• Exclusion: Excluding people from decision-making.


• Setting the agenda: Choosing which decisions are allowed to be made
powerful person or group decides what issues are going to be discussed.

• Controlling people’s ideas ; so that they do what you want, without knowing it.

• For example, if people are convinced (by media, propaganda or other messages)
that a social issue (crime, drug abuse, etc.) is caused by foreigners, they will not
ask questions about their own government's responsibility for that social
problem.

Soft power
• Influence no reward and no punishment

• Attraction power K port, K drama, economic model (Japan management),


Dollar, Yan, Pound sterling
Sources of Power
• An important part of political analysis is looking at how much power an
individual or group has.

• However, it is also important to look at where people get their power from.

• Some of the most important sources of power include:

1) Strength: Weapons, followers, and physical strength can all give a person or
group more power over others.

• The main reasons why governments, armies, criminal gangs and terrorist
groups have so much power.

2) Wealth: Money, land and employees are all sources of power.

• If a person or group can use these resources to get what they want, they are
able to achieve their goals.

• can also protect their interests over the goals and interests of other groups.
3) Status: This kind of power is about the roles or importance that people have in
society and how much society values those roles religious leaders/the work of
doctors.

4) knowledge: Education and information are sources of power for groups who
have access to them.

• Understanding how society works is the first step for people who want to
change it.

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