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Philippine Politics
and Governance
Quarter 1 – Module 3:
Power: Nature, Dimensions, Types
and Consequences

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Lesson 1- Power: Nature, Dimension, Types and

Consequences

What I Need to Know

MELC 3: Analyze the nature, dimensions/types, and consequences of power

This module is focused on this competencies:

• define power (HUMSS_PG12-Id-11)
• recognize the nature, dimensions, types, and consequences of power
(HUMSS_PG12-Id-12)
• analyze the nature, dimensions, types, deployments, and consequences of
power (HUMSS_PG12-Id-13)
• assess how power is exercised in different situations (HUMSS_PG12-Id-14)

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. define power;
2. identify the nature, dimensions, types, and consequences of power;
3. analyze the nature, dimensions, types, deployments, and consequences of
power; and
4. assess how power is exercised in different situations

I think you have an idea now what the lesson is all about. So, before we go
further, remember what you are going to accomplish after this lesson.

I can define power;

I can identify the nature, dimensions, types, and consequences of power;
I can analyze the nature, dimensions, types, deployments, and
consequences of power; and
I can assess how power is exercised in different situations

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What’s New

Definition of Power

In its broadest sense, power is one’s ability to achieve a desired outcome. However,
in political terms, power is the ability to influence another—the way one thinks or
behaves—in a manner not of his or her own choosing (Lasswell 1936). It thus involves
one’s capacity to get things done, and to make someone do something he or she would
not otherwise do. It can also be seen as evil or unjust. Power is closely tied to the concept
of authority, which is the right to exercise power in society.
Max Weber, a German sociologist and philosopher, proposed a classification of
power based on different types of authority. Study the organizer below:

Another significant concept in the discussion of power is influence. This refers to

the ability to entice or convince through persuasion and other non-coercive means.
Influence is considered to have a broader scope compared to power is more democratic
in nature.
In politics, the concept of power is closely related to the state, government,
governance and citizenship. Political power involves three interrelated concepts:
legitimacy, authority, and sovereignty. According to Roskin et al. (2012), legitimacy
refers to the people’s perception that their government rules rightfully, and thus must
be obeyed. Sovereignty, on the other hand, speaks of the ability of a national government
to be the sole leader, which has the last word of law in that society. Lastly, authority is
seen as the political leader’s ability to command respect and exercise power.

Power characterizes much, if not all, of people’s relationships, may it be at the most
personal level or in their relationship with the government or larger polity.

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Activity 1: Complete Me!

Direction: Complete the sentence frames below to answer the questions.

Write your answers in your formative notebook.

1. What concept is closely related to the state, government, governance

and citizenship?
Answer: The concept of ________ is closely related to the state, government,
governance and citizenship.

2. Who is the German sociologist and philosopher who proposed a

classification of power based on different types of authority?
Answer: ______is a German sociologist and philosopher who proposed a
classification of power based on different types of authority.

3. What term refers to the right to exercise power in society?

Answer: __________ refers to the right to exercise power in society.

4. How many types of authority served as the basis for classification of

power? What are these types?
Answer: There are ________ types of authority. These are _____________.

5. What term refers to the ability to entice or convince through

persuasion and other non-coercive means.?
Answer: __________refers to the ability to entice or convince through persuasion
and other non-coercive means.

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 What is It
Power is an important concept in understanding politics and governance. Government
is understood to have authority and power over the people, and its various actions bear
great influence in people’s lives and society in general. Various societies, countries, and
governments implement different means in utilizing power, and these means define their
respective cultures, traditions, and prevailing political structures.
The Nature, Dimensions, Types and Consequences of Power

Power is generally defined as the ability of a person to carry out his or her will. This
concept is particularly significant in the study of social relationships since society is
composed of individuals who exercise varied degrees of power.
The Nature of Power

Power can be defined in many ways. Most simply, it is the ability to get what you
want, or as scholar Kenneth Boulding said, power is "the ability to change the future."
Some scholars make a distinction between three kinds of power-- "power over," "power
to" and "power with.

"Power over" is the ability to dominate another person or group--as in "I have
power over him. This means, "I have the ability to make him do what I want him to do."
Power-over usually comes from force and threat. If the subordinate fails to do what he or
she is asked to do, the dominant person will use force to make the subordinate person
comply.

"Power to" is the ability to do something on one’s own--it refers to one’s abilities.
Sources of this kind of power are intellect, resources, knowledge, stamina, etc. These
resources give some people the power to accomplish things that others cannot.

"Power with" is similar to "power to" in that it reflects ability, but "power with" is
the ability to work with others to get something done by cooperation. This is the power of
consensus--the power of people working together to solve a common problem

Dimensions of Power

Power comes in different faces or dimensions. It can be considered as decision-making,

agenda setting, or thought control.

Dimensions of Power (Heywood 2013)

Power as decision-making Power is perceived as the influence on the content of decisions. Who
decides, what to be made, and how to execute such decision all involve
power.
Power as agenda setting Power involves the ability to set or control political agenda,
highlighting one at the exclusion of other issues.
Power as thought control Power is seen as an ideological indoctrination or a psychological
control where one has the ability to change or shape how another
thinks or behaves.

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Types of Power

Coercive Power This involves the usage of threat to make people do what one
desires. In the organizational set up, it translates into
threatening someone with transfer, firing, demotions etc. it
basically forces people to submit to one’s demand for the fear
of losing something.
Reward Power This type of power uses rewards, perks, new projects or
training opportunities, better roles and monetary benefits to
influence people. However, an interesting aspect of this type
of power is that, it is not powerful enough in itself, as
decisions related to rewards do not rest solely with the person
promising them, because in organizations, a lot of other
people come into play like senior managers and board.
Legitimate This power emanates from an official position held by
Power someone, be it in an organization, bureaucracy or government
etc. The duration of this power is short lived as a person can
use it only till the time, he/she holds that position, as well as,
the scope of the power is small as it is strictly defined by the
position held.
Expert Power This is a personal kind of power which owes its genesis to
the skills and expertise possessed by an individual, which is
of higher quality and not easily available. In such a situation,
the person can exercise the power of knowledge to influence
people. Since, it is very person specific and skills can be
enhanced with time; it has more credibility and respect.
Referent Power This is a power wielded by celebrities and film stars as they
have huge following amongst masses who like them, identify
with them and follow them. Hence, they exert lasting
influence on a large number of people for a large number of
decisions; like from what car to buy to which candidate to
choose for a higher office in the country.

LET’S DO THIS!
Activity 2.1: Pick Me Up!
Direction: Identify which term is described in the statements below. Choose your answer
inside the box. Write your answers in your formative notebook. Write the letter only.

A. Coercive B. Reward C. Referent D. Expert E. Legitimate

1. This power relies on the knowledge and skills of the individual.
2. This is based on a person’s position, role and duties in a group.
3. This type of power is based on a person’s ability to compel other people through threats,
punishment and force.
4. This type is based on an individual’s personality and ability to attract followers.
5. This power is based on the ability to give rewards and benefits.

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Activity 2.2 Match your type!

Direction: Match the nature and dimensions of power (Column A) to its description
(Column B).
Column A Column B
I. Nature
1. Power over a. to do something on one’s own
2. Power to b. to work with others to get something done by cooperation
3. Power with c. to dominate another person or group
II. Dimensions
1. Power as decision-making a. the ability to set or control political agenda
2. Power as thought control b. the ability to shape how another thinks or behaves
3. Power as agenda setting c. the influence on the content of decisions

Activity 3! Illustration-Analysis!
Direction: Study the illustration below. Analyze the nature, type and dimensions of power
presented in each illustration.

____________________________________________ _________________________________________
____________________________________________ _________________________________________
____________________________________________ _________________________________________

Illustration 3: ____________________________ Illustration 4: _______________________

_______________________________________ ____________________________________

Processing Questions:

1. How are the concepts of power and authority presented in the following
illustrations?
2. What are your thoughts about such representations?

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Power and Governance

The government, being the instrument by which the people enact its will, is
empowered to enact programs, initiate activities, and take action whenever the need
arises. In this sense, sovereignty is expressed by the government as a form of “national
power” that is composed of various resources and instrumentalities, such as the
economy, population, and the military. National power is evident in the actions of
government agencies, officials, members of the military and police, and other public
servants.
The constitutions give the government inherent powers that it can enact in pursuit of
national goals and objectives. These are:
* Police power – the ability of the state to use the police force to ensure law and order
in society
- the inherent power to exercise reasonable control over persons and
property within its jurisdiction in the interest of the general security, health, safety,
morals, and welfare except where legally prohibited.
Eminent domain – the power of the government to acquire private property for public
use.
Power of Taxation – allows the government to impose and collect taxes from its
citizens. These powers enable the government to undertake its activities as well as
ensure the safety of citizens.
In regional and international politics, states also exercise certain forms of powers.
These are:
Military power – the capability of a state to wage war against another state, and is
evident in resources such as military troops and weapons.
Economic power – the use of economic resources and finances, and the ability of
states to influence other nations by denying or giving them access to certain resources.
Psychological power – the ability of a state to use its image or reputation in
influencing other countries. This power requires the wise use of diplomacy,
propaganda, and mass media to successfully achieve the goals of the state.

Power and Citizenship

Power and citizenship are two closely intertwined concepts within the context of
a democratic society. As sovereignty resides in the people that compose the state, the
government provides with the means to exercise power. The recognition of the
sovereign citizens is evident in the rights and privileges guaranteed by the state. The
Bill of Rights (Article III of the 1987 Philippine Constitution) enumerates the various
political, social and economic rights that citizens enjoy. These rights, in turn, comes
with a set of responsibilities which citizens must fulfill in order to exercise power and
participates fully within a democracy.
The concept of citizenship has also influenced views on the powers wielded by
citizens. The diagram below shows how citizenship took shape in the history:

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The Exercise of Power and Its Consequences

Power defines social and political relationships. The “who gets what, when, and how
much” are usually determined by power. From political systems characterized by
democratic institutions or dictatorships, down to interpersonal between and among
relationships between and among individuals, the struggle for power is ever present.
In the system of governance, power relations determine how resources are distributed.
For instance, the relationship between the leader and the governed is shaped by
inequality in power. Such is likewise evident in the global order. In world politics or
international relations, according to realists, power relations decide the type of
relationship between states. Realists maintain that economic, political, and military
powers usually dictate the influence of one country over the affairs of another—if not the
global order. However, liberals argue that the adverse effects of inequality of power are
mitigated by a rules-based world order. Either way, there is a common recognition of the
existence of power even at an international scale.

Power and Its Effects

Power, when wielded by entities such as the state, often yields significant effects on
society. The exercise of political power is primarily intended to ensure social control. This
generally results in government influencing the development of individuals in society as
well as group behavior and identity. Within groups and organizations, the exercise of
various forms of powers by their members results in a well-defined hierarchy that enables
them to identify their individual roles, responsibilities, privileges, and rights within the
groups. A well-balanced power structure within an organization contributes to its stability
and efficiency.
However, irresponsible use of power limits individual freedom and imposes
restrictions to citizens’ actions. A government that ignores lawful limits on its powers is
bound to violate the rights and freedoms of its citizens. Misuse of power by the
government eventually leads to loss of legitimacy, especially if the citizens consider
government actions as violations of democratic ideals and the general welfare. This leads
to wider dissent among citizens who resort to rebellion or terrorism which in turn bring
about instability in government and society. Many totalitarian states have successfully
used the full power of the state to stamp out dissent among its citizens and have retained
power for a long time.
Dissent: verb
Power and Accountability - to withhold approval, disagree
Since the exercise of political power by the government originates from the consent of
the citizens, government action should be defined by responsibility and accountability.
Responsibility is closely tied to obligation, which refers to an action that an individual
is required to perform. Accountability refers to the acknowledgement of responsibility
for an action and its consequences. Public officials are expected to uphold various
responsibilities in exercising their authority. They have legal responsibilities, which
refer to a set of obligations outlined by law, and moral responsibilities, which refers to
doing actions that are considered to be morally and socially acceptable and deserving of
praise.
Responsibility and accountability are significant concepts in governance. Elected
public officials are expected to perform the obligations of the offices they occupy. Local
officials are responsible for maintaining law and order, and promoting the interests of the

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people within their respective jurisdictions. Members of the Congress are expected to
create laws that will uphold the common good., The President, as head of the executive
branch, is tasked to uphold the Philippine Constitution, implement the laws of the
country, and effectively administer government services.
Ways that power can be abused by public officials:
Abuse of authority – the use of unauthorized power for illegal acts or stepping beyond
the bounds of authorized actions (example, the use of excessive force of police in arresting
a suspect)
Abuse of discretion – the willful disregard for the rules or proper procedure (example:
public officials ignore standard procedures in hiring employees or procuring materials)
Abuse of power – pertains to misconduct in office (example: an official performs unlawful
actions while in office; corruption)
Corruption- the use of authority or influence for private interest like patronage, nepotism,
bribery, and influence peddling (peddling means selling)
Graft – a form of political corruption where an official uses public funds for his or her
personal gain
In these cases, the government has instituted various means to ensure that public
officials who violate the public trust are held accountable for their actions. Accountability
is ensured through constitutionally and legally mandated bodies or agencies that
investigate cases of abuse of power and graft and corruption in public offices (Article XI
of the 1987 Philippine Constitution).
Office of the Ombudsman – investigate cases of alleged abuse by public officials and
government employees. The Ombudsman is empowered to investigate cases of alleged
abuse, suspend officials under investigation, and recommend cases for prosecution after
due investigation.
Sandiganbayan – anti-graft court, empowered to hear and decide on cases involving graft
and corruption and abuse of power by public officials
Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) – an agency originally
established to recover the ill-gotten wealth of former President Marcos, his family
members, relatives and business associates. This is also tasked with investigating cases
of graft and corruption and formulating safeguards to ensure that corrupt practices in
the government are prevented.
Commission on Human Rights – empowered to investigate cases of violations of civil
and political rights and to look into cases of police and military abuse, extra judicial
killings, enforced disappearances, and abuse of prisoners or persons held in jails.
Commission on Audit – tasked with reviewing expenditures of government offices and
agencies to ensure that public funds are used properly
Senate Committee on Accountability of Public Offices and Investigations also known
as the “ Blue Ribbon Committee” – investigate alleged wrongdoings of government, its
officials, and agencies for the purpose of drafting new laws or amending existing laws to
address the problem of abuse and corruption in government.
Another important factor that ensures responsibility and accountability in
government is transparency and easy access to information. Article XI of the
Constitution also states that all public officials and employees must issue a statement
of assets, liabilities, and net worth (SALN). Information regarding these (assets,
liabilities and net worth) especially of the high-ranking officials must be disclosed or open
to the public.

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What’s More

Activity 4: Power RangeR!

Direction: Based on the four (4) illustrations in Activity 3, assess the consequences of power
in each illustration. Complete the chart below by checking the column of its consequences.
Give a brief explanation of your choice.

Activity 5: Reflect Upon!

Direction: Read and understand the questions carefully and answer based on your own
experience.
1. Try to think of relationships within your family. Who exercises power and what
consequences does this have?
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
2. How about in school? Can you give instances where power relations exist? Is the
relationship between you and your classmates/friends characterized by power, too?
Explain.
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________

POINTS TO REMEMBER:
• Politics cannot be studied without having a focus on power. Power is the ability
to influence another. It can also be seen as coercion or the use of intimidation
to get desired outcomes. Power can also be legitimate—that is, the exercise of is,
the exercise of influence is recognized and that the governed accords obedience
to the leader. Power comes in various forms and dimensions, and it exists in different levels
of relationships: from the personal level, to the governmental, and up to the international
level. It has different consequences, but what is notable is that it defines all types of
relationships. After all, power involves who gets what, when, and how much.
• Democratic societies believe that true power lies among the people, and that is by the
consent of the people that the government is able to exercise great power. Political power,
therefore is subject to certain limits and checks. The right to occupy positions of authority

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and power in government is a public trust., and the people have the right to hold officials
accountable for their actions. This relationship between the government and its citizens
ensures that power is exercised responsibly, and that no abuses shall be committed by those
entrusted by the people to wield power. In turn, government respects the right of the citizens
to exercise power in reasonable ways.

Understanding Check...
Activity 6: Let Me Synthesize!
In the previous activities, concept, nature, dimensions, types and
consequences of power were discussed. Now, it’s time for you to complete the
chart below to make a synthesis of the whole lesson. Just give your answer on
phrases-type.

DATA RETRIEVAL CHART

Definition of Nature of Types of Consequences of Dimensions of
power Power Power Power (based on Power
sources of power)
-
-
-

Let’s Power up!!!

1. What is power? What are the different types and dimensions of power?
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
2. How relevant is power in shaping the structure of different organizations and
situations?
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
3. What were the effects of the government’s use of power? Do you believed that the
citizens benefitted from it? How?
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

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What I Have Learned

Activity 7: Let Me Generalize!!!

Direction: Supply the missing ideas to make the paragraph complete.

_________ is the ability to influence another—the way one thinks or
behaves—in a manner not of his or her own choosing. This can be defined
in many ways.
"________" is the ability to dominate another person or group. "Power
to" is the ability to do something on one’s own--it refers to one’s abilities.
On the other hand, "_________" is similar to "power to" in that it reflects
ability, but "power with" is the ability to work with others to get something
done by cooperation.
Power comes in different faces or dimensions. It can be considered as
____________, agenda setting, or _____________.
There are five different types or sources of power. These are expert
and referent with commitment as a consequence; legitimate and reward
with ___________ as a consequence and _________ power which will result to
resistance if used.
Democratic societies believe that true power lies among the people,
and that is by the ______ of the people that the government is able to
exercise great power. _______ power, therefore is subject to certain limits
and checks. The right to occupy positions of authority and power in
government is a __________, and the people have the right to hold officials
accountable for their actions.

Assessment

Direction: Read the instructions on each part of the test before answering.
I. Multiple Choice: Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the letter only
1. In politics, power refers to the ability to control or impose restrictions over individuals,
as well as compel other people to do certain tasks. Which of the following shows this
definition?
A. The SSG President is delegating the task to his co-student leaders.
B. The President is implementing the strict compliance of Oplan Tokhang.
C. A student leader being a good follower.
D. The mayor of the town is extending help to the poor.
For questions 2-4
Based on the nature of their relationship with other members of the group, power has
these classifications: Coercive Power which is based on a person’s ability to compel other
people through threats, punishment and force; Reward Power which is based on the

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ability to give rewards and benefits; Expert Power that relies on the knowledge and skills
of the individual; Legitimate Power which is based on a person’s position, role, and duties
in a group; and lastly, Referent Power which is based on an individual’s personality and
ability to attract followers.
2. Who among the Philippine Presidents has noticeably shown a coercive type of power?
A. Corazon C. Aquino B. Joseph Estrada C. Gloria M. Arroyo D. Rodrigo R. Duterte
3. How is coercive type of power manifested?
A. Through giving of rewards B. By attracting followers C. Through penalties
4. What type of power is based on the personal and professional qualities of an
individual? A. Reward power C. Legitimate power
B. Expert power D. Referent power
5. The state has three inherent powers: police power, eminent domain and taxation.
The power of eminent domain refers to the power to acquire private property for public
use. Which of the following shows this power?
A. The BIR is collecting taxes for public purpose.
B. The implementation of the road-widening project.
C. Enforcing strict policies for peace and order
D. The implementation of curfew hour.
6. Power and citizenship are two closely intertwined concepts within the context of a
democratic society. As sovereignty resides in the people that compose the state, the
government provides the people with the means to exercise power. The recognition of
the sovereign citizens is evident in the rights and privileges guaranteed by the state.
Where sovereignty do resides?
A. People B. State C. Government D. Public officials
7. Power, when exercised effectively and responsibly, leads to stability in government
and society. The exercise of power by the government is intended to foster a democratic
society and maintain order that enable citizens to thrive and develop. What will be the
result if power is exercised irresponsibly?
A. freedom and rights will be violated C. nothing will happen
B. there will be a well-defined hierarchy D. democracy will prevail
8. There are various ways that power can be abused by public officials and leaders.
One of which is Abuse of Discretion which is a wilful disregard for the rules or proper
procedure. Which of the following is showing abuse of discretion?
A. A public official is using his office for free transportation in a bus.
B. Public officials ignore protocols or standard procedures in hiring employees.
C. The use of excessive force by police in arresting a suspect
D. The use of official vehicle for personal purposes
II. Modified True/False: Write True if the statement is correct and changed the
underlined word if it makes the statement wrong.
1. The Sandiganbayan investigates cases of alleged abuse by public officials and
government employees.
2. Eminent domain is the power of the government to acquire private property for public
use.
3. Power as agenda- setting is perceived as the influence on the content of decisions.
Who decides, what to be made, and how to execute such decision all involve power.
4. Responsibility refers to an action that an individual is required to perform.
5. Military power is the use of economic resources and finances, and the ability of states
to influence other nations by denying or giving them access to certain resources.

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6. Responsible use of power by the government eventually leads to loss of legitimacy,

especially if the citizens consider government actions as violations of democratic ideals
and the general welfare.
7. Article XI of the Constitution also states that all public officials and employees must
issue a statement of assets, liabilities, and net worth (SALN).
III. Explain your answers briefly but substantively.
1. How would you define power? (1pt.)
2. What is the significance of power in an organization or in a group? (2pts.)
3. How does power affects governance? (2pts.)

Congratulations ! You’ve just finished Lesson 1 of this module.

Answer Key
Activity 1: Complete Me
1. Power 2. Max Weber 3. Authority 4. 3-charismatic, traditional, legal-rational 5. Influence
Activity 2.1: D, E, A, C, B Activity 2.1 I- c, a, b II. c, b, a
Activity 3: Answer the remaining activities

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