In other words, there is an unequal distribution of power like an unequal distribution of wealth. Again, all the centres of power do claim to have equal or almost equal amount of power. Hence it is observed that power is not concentrated at any particular centre. In any pluralist society there are numerous groups and they all compete among themselves at various levels to capture political power or to influence the agencies who exercise their influence. In the second place, “power is disaggregated and non-cumulative it is shared and bartered by numerous groups spread throughout society and representing diverse interests”. So power is always viewed in the background of relationship. Naturally power relates to the relationship or interaction between two or among more than two elements or actors. It is because power implies ability to influence or control others or to get things done by others. When there is only one actor or element the issue of power does not arise.
Nature of Power :įrom the definitions of power noted above we can get certain features and the first such feature is it is used in relational sense. Thus, power means the capacity to make decisions binding and ability to discharge responsibilities and perform certain functions. A sociologist’s definition of power is: the possibility of having one’s own decision, select alternatives or reduce complexities for others. Hague, Harrop and Breslin’s definition is slightly different: “In a broad sense the power is the production of intended effects”. Leslie Lipson (The Great Issues of Politics) thinks that power is nothing but the ability to achieve results through concerted action. Hence political power may broadly be defined as the capacity to affect another’s behaviour by some form of sanction. For example, Alan Ball feels that power may generally be used in political sense. Some political scientists want to mean that there is a special type of power which may be designated as political power. Why specific kind? Let us quote him: “The ability to make other people do what one wants them to do”. Raphael is of opinion that the English word power is derived from these two words and naturally power may be used to mean ability and hence his definition of power is specific kind of ability. Both these words (these are verbs) mean “to be able”.
Raphael says that in French there is a word “Pouvoir”. He believes that generally power means the ability. Raphael (Problems of Political Philosophy) has analysed power from various aspects. The group which succeeds finally will be called powerful.ĭ. In domestic politics or pluralistic societies there are many competing groups and all struggle to capture power or to influence. Though Deutsch defines the concept in the background of international politics, its relevance to national politics is, however, undeniable. Karl Deutsch says that power means the ability to be involved in conflict, to resolve it and to remove the obstacles. When there are conflicts among them one interest proceeds to dominate over the other and the interest which prevails upon the other the former may be called powerful interest. In any society there are diverse interests and all are alike. So power involves a successful attempt to do something which he could not do otherwise. If A possesses the capability to control B then it will be assumed that A has the power. In his A Preface to Democratic Theory Dahl calls power a type of relationship in respect of capability and control. Robert Dahl in many of his works has defined power and analysed its various aspects. No organisation, whatever may its nature be, can do its duty or achieve objectives without power. Power is related to taking of decisions and for the implementation of those decisions. Power and authority are perhaps the most vital aspects of all organisations in general and political organisations in particular.