TITLE – POWER

NAME – MD. NAZIR ALI

DEPARTMENT – LAW

SEMESTER – 5TH SEMESTER

PROGRAM – BA. LLB (HONS)

PAPER NAME – POLITICAL IDEAS AND

POLITICAL IDEOLOGIES.

ENROLLMENT NO. – 2111215001007

REGISTRATION NO. – 210010079063

 INTRODUCTION
Since the beginning of the twentieth century, power concepts have held a respectable place in
modern political debates. It has grown so commonplace that it is now used to define not only
international connections but even social units such as families. The concept dramatically
changed the meaning of politics, making it appear as a “power struggle.” From Hobbes’
account of nature in conflict through Betty Freidan’s Feminine Mystique, power has been used as
an analytical tool to understand human relations at both the macro and micro levels. Power is a
central concept in political science, as it shapes the dynamics of governance, decision-making,
and societal relations. Understanding power and its distribution is crucial for analysing political
systems and the behaviour of political actors. The study of power in political science involves
examining its sources, distribution, and effects. Power can be derived from factors such as
wealth, status, expertise, or organizational position. The distribution of power within a society or
political system can have significant implications for governance, policy outcomes, and social
justice. Political scientists also analyse power dynamics within specific institutions, such as
governments, legislatures, and bureaucracies. They study how power is exercised and contested
within these structures, and how it influences decision-making processes and policy outcomes.

MEANING
The concept of power can be interpreted in a variety of ways. It is a concept that is “basically
debated.” There will never be a unified or agreed-upon definition. Power is defined as “force” or
“energy” in natural sciences. It exists in social sciences with several connotations, such as the
ability to attain a desired end and the exercise of control by one person over another. The
psychopolitical phenomena of power is a psychopolitical phenomenon. In a nutshell, it refers to a
person’s, group’s, or institution’s ability to influence, change, or modify the behaviour of another
person, group, or organisation. It is the ability to affect the behaviour of others in this sense.
Furthermore, this power is not freely given and is not readily accepted by those who are
subjected to it. Hence Power is defined as one’s ability to impose one’s will on others
regardless of their wishes. When one succeeds in persuading another person to do something
that he would not otherwise door preventing another person from doing something that that
person would otherwise wish to do, it is said that the first person’s will has been forced on the
other and so power has been exercised.

DEFINITION
Power refers to the ability to have one’s will carried out despite the resistance of others. Most of
us have seen a striking example of raw power when we are driving a car and see a police car in
our rear-view mirror. At that particular moment, the driver of that car has enormous power over
us. We make sure we strictly obey the speed limit and all other driving rules. If, alas, the police
car’s lights are flashing, we stop the car, as otherwise we may be in for even bigger trouble.
When the officer approaches our car, we ordinarily try to be as polite as possible and pray we do
not get a ticket. When you were 16 and your parents told you to be home by midnight or else,
your arrival home by this curfew again illustrated the use of power, in this case parental power. If
a child in middle school gives her lunch to a bully who threatens her, that again is an example of
the use of power, or, in this case, the misuse of power.

TYPES OF POWER
(i) Psychological power
It is a significant power used by the state to ensure that its citizens execute its
directives. Normally, individuals are used to carrying out state orders and following
the laws in their personal and the society’s interests, however circumstances may
emerge when the laws are opposed to public wishes. In such a setting, laws may be
broken and violence may occur. In that case, the state will employ its police or
military force to the degree necessary. As a result, the people comply with
government orders under the threat or dread of physical power or force.
 In the Democratic countries the physical power is decentralized with land, air and
naval forces in army and there is a nuclear power too. In the absence of strong
military power, the political power is likely to be unstable due to the fear of force
from outside. The democratic countries have decentralised military power, hence the
chances of revolution are less.

(ii) Economic power

It is a type of power that comes from economic prosperity. It denotes that power
comes to a person or state as a result of strong economic and financial backing.
Economically successful countries typically aim to exert economic control over
developing and underdeveloped countries. Economically powerful states now wield
power over poor and economically dependent states since the former can financially
assist the latter in carrying out development objectives. Nations wield power through
international trade, economic aid, and other means.

Today, the world listens to the United States of America, Germany, Japan, England,
and France since these are economically prosperous nations that other nations look to
for economic support for their development and financial stability.

(iii) Political power

It is based upon the relationships to the legal structure, party affiliation and extensive
bureaucracy. Political power is institutionalized in the form of large-scale government
bureaucracies. One of the persistent ideas has been that they are controlled by elites,
that is, small, select, privileged groups.

Political power concerns the activities of the states which is not confined to national
boundaries. The networks of political power can stretch across countries and across
the globe. Political power involves the power to tax and power to distribute resources
to the citizens.
(iv) Military power
It involves the use of physical coercion. Warfare has always played a major role in
politics. Modem mass military systems developed into bureaucratic organiza-tions
and significantly changed the nature of organizing and fighting wars. According to
Weber, few groups in society base their power purely on force or military might.
(v) Social power
It is based upon informal community opinion, family position, honour, prestige and
patterns of consumption and lifestyles. Weber placed special emphasis on the
importance of social power, which often takes priority over economic interests.
Contemporary sociologists have also given importance to social status so much so
that they sometimes seem to have underestimated the importance of political power.

(vi) Ideological power

It involves power over ideas and beliefs, for example, are communism, fascism and
some varieties of nationalism. These types of ideologies are frequently oppositional to
dominant institutions and play an important role in the organi-zation of devotees into
sects and parties. According to Michael Mann (1986), there are two types of power,
viz., distributional and collective.

SOURCES OF POWER
(i) Knowledge
Knowledge is the major source of power. Knowledge provides the capacity for
leadership since it assists us in studying, learning, thinking, and mind development.
People with extensive knowledge are held in high regard in society. They hold
important positions in various walks of life because they are the elite of society and
have a firm grip over economic, social, and political fields. Even the powerful look to
them for guidance and advice.

(ii) Economic resources

 The source of power is economic resources. Those who are financially secure can
gain the cooperation and affections of political parties by making large donations. The
wealthy maintain strong lobbying at all levels of society’s power hierarchy in order to
influence decision-makers’ behaviour and build pressure groups. Every year, they
spend millions of rupees to control their different societies’ decision-making and
decision-implementation apparatuses. Wealth is thus that one-of-a-kind asset that
allows a person or people to seize any amount of power. According to Dahl, a person
with more riches will get more influence than others.

(iii) Organization and Form

Power is derived from organisation. It is a great power in itself. When people
collaborate, their power grows. Political parties are formed in order to seize and
exercise power. Workers have tremendous power when they organise into trade
unions, and management is obligated to listen to the views of trade union leaders. It is
common knowledge that well-organized bodies and their members seize authority and
leave others far behind in the race for power. The structure of an organisation can
sometimes become a source of power. It is claimed that the larger the organisation,
the more powerful it will be. However, this may not be the case in all circumstances.
A large organisation may become weak at times, whereas a tiny organisation may
become more strong. As a result, both organisation and form are hasis of power.
Cordial relationships between organisations and their sizes may make them more
powerful, but they may also be detrimental to their weaknesses.

(iv) Belief, thought and action

Belief, thought, and action are all sources of power. Every society has its own set of
beliefs and ideas. Those individuals and institutions who represent and work for their
implementation gain power. Mahatma Gandhi and the Congress Party rose to
prominence by representing the ideals and ideas of Indian society and working
tirelessly to realise them.

(v) Authority
 An key source of power is authority. It denotes lawful authority. When a person
properly holds a political or legal position, his power grows automatically. Being a
minister grows more powerful when one becomes a member of the government. It is
authority that separates one individual from another. Any field can have authority.

(vi) Personality traits and skill

Power is heavily linked with a person’s personality. Some leadership qualities include
intelligence, persuasiveness, honesty, and so forth. These assist a person in efficiently
capturing his followers. Along with him, and without the use of coercion (physical or
spiritual), one can force his will on them and others. A charismatic personality is
defined by intelligence, courage, oratory, organisational abilities, and the ability to
make quick and correct decisions. Leaders in India such as Mahatma Gandhi, P.
Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Patel, Indira Gandhi, and many more had magnetic
personalities and were more influential than others. Skill can also be used to gain
power. A skilful individual can have greater powers than others.

(vii) Control over media

Control over mass media like newspapers, radio. Television ete. Is also a source of
power. In today’s world, mass media may both elevate and degrade an individual or
an institution. It is the media that aids in the shaping of public opinion, and its
function becomes even more potent during election seasons.

CONCLUSION
In conclusion, power is a fundamental concept in political science that shapes the functioning of
political systems and the behaviour of political actors. Understanding power dynamics is
essential for analysing governance, policy-making, and societal relations. By studying power in
its various forms and manifestations, political scientists can gain insights into the nature of
political systems and the dynamics of social and political change. The study of power in political
science also has important implications for efforts to promote social justice and democratic
governance. By understanding how power is distributed and exercised within a society, scholars
and policymakers can work to create more equitable and inclusive political systems. Overall, the
study of power in political science is essential for understanding the complexities of politics and
governance in modern societies.

REFERENCES
o Andrew Heywood - Political Theory, Third Edition An Introduction (2004).
o Rajeev Bhargava, Ashok Acharyha - Political Theory An Introduction-Pearson Education
(2008).
o Law Niviiro
o Your Article Library