Chapter 13 : Concept of Power

Concept of Power

Nature and Significance of Power

Power is regarded as one of the central concepts of political science, holding the same status as the concept of money in economics.

• Significance: Focusing on power emancipates political science from being a mere appendage to philosophy, history, or law. It transcends formal institutions to focus on the real motives and objectives behind political activity.
• Traditional Thinkers: Machiavelli (1469–1527), Hobbes (1588–1679), and Nietzsche (1844–1900) brought out the significance of power.
• Modern Writers: Max Weber, Catlin, Merriam, Lasswell, Kaplan, Watkins, Trietschke, and Morgenthau focus on the 'acquisition, maintenance and loss of power'.

Key Definitions and Views on the Scope of Politics:

• Frederick Watkins (The State as a Concept of Political Science; 1934): The proper scope of political science is the investigation of all associations exemplifying the problem of power, not just the state.
• William A. Robson (The University Teaching of Social Sciences: Political Science; 1954): The focus of the political scientist centres on the struggle to gain, retain, exercise, or resist power.
• Harold Lasswell and Abraham Kaplan (Power and Society; 1950): Defined political science as 'the study of the shaping and sharing of power'.
• Max Weber (cited in G.E.G. Catlin, Systematic Politics; 1965): Politics is the struggle for power or influencing those in power, embracing struggles between states and organized groups.
• Michael Curtis (Comparative Government and Politics; 1978): Politics is organized dispute about power and its use, involving choices among competing values/interests.

Meaning of Power:

• Bertrand Russell (Power: A New Social Analysis; 1938): Defined power as 'the production of intended effects'. Theorists generally restrict its use to 'power over human beings'.
• H.V. Wiseman (Political Systems: Some Sociological Approaches; 1966): 'the ability to get one's wishes carried out despite opposition'.
• Stephen L. Wasby (Political Science-The Discipline and its Dimensions; 1972): Bringing about an action against the will or desire of another.
• Robert Dahl ( Modern Political Analysis ; 1991): A kind of influence exercised 'when compliance is attained by creating the…