The Concept of Power

The first dimension of power/the pluralistic

approach
The second face of power/nondecision-
making
The third dimension of power
Discursive power
The first dimension of power/the pluralistic tradition
Robert A. Dahl:
A has power over B to the extent that he can get B to
do something that B wouldnt otherwise do. (Dahl 195!
p. "#$%
Nelson . !olsb":
!ower should be anal"#ed b" investigating &who
participates! who gains and who loses 'rom alternative
outcomes! and also who prevails in decision ma(ing.
()ols*+ 19#! p. $'%
$ocus is directed towards
overt decision-making procedures%
cases where different actors have different
preferences% and
what is e&plicitl" said and done in a decision-making
or negotiation procedure.
The second face of power/nondecision-making
!ower might alread" have been e&ercised before it
comes to public decision-making. 'an" decisions might
alread" be taken when the agenda is settled.
(achrach ) (arat# *+,-./+,/01:
2ontrol of the agenda is a crucial aspect of power-
e&ercise.
3mobili#ation of bias3:
a set o' predominant values! *elie's! rituals! and
institutional procedures operates to the *ene'it o'
certain persons! groups and perspectives at the
expense o' others.
4mobili#ation of bias5 is sustained through
nondecision-making.
The result of nondecision-making is:
that certain persons! perspectives! issues or con'licts
never enter the overt political arena.
Nondecisions can take several forms;
(" force
(" threat of sanctions
(" norms% rules or procedures
(" the e&istence of certain values% m"ths etc
(" the 3rule of anticipated reactions3:
situations where B has less power than A and
there'ore decides to not ma(e demand upon A
in the case o' a con'rontation! o' 'ear that A
will invo(e sanctions against him.
The third dimension of power
The most effective and treacherous use of power is to prevent
conflicts from arising.
6teven 7ukes:
,...A ma+ exercise power over B *+ getting him to do what he
does not want to do! *ut he also exercises power over him *+
in'luencing! shaping or determining his ver+ wants. -ndeed! is it
not the supreme exercise o' power to get another or others to
have the desires +ou want them to have . that is! to secure their
compliance *+ controlling their thoughts and desires/
(0u(es 191! p "$%
The focus of power-anal"sis is directed towards the
establishment of certain awareness. 8ere% education% mass
media% and socialisation processes etc gets a crucial role.
Discursive power
$ocus is directed towards the creation and
establishment of conceptions of 4the wa" things are5.
'ichel $oucault:
!ower relations are immanent in all social processes.
!ower is a relational phenomenon.
!ower is a productive force9 it is about the production
of our conceptions of realit" and of 4the wa" things
are5.
Discourse:
&a set o' concepts! categori2ations! ideas and meanings that
produce 'orms 'or how things are presented! interpreted and
understood. A discourse is a wa+ o' tal(ing a*out something!
which at the same time presents this something in a certain
light (this is how it is! this is how it happened%.
(3a4er 1995! 5aco*sson "###! Burr 1995%
To discuss:
Have you any personal experience of power
exercise in any of these terms?
How can these perspectives be of use for you
in your future profession?