Power Power is the capacity or capability by which we are able to change the behaviour of others and from them we can get the things done according to.

PowerPower Power is the capacity or capability by Power is the capacity or capability by which we are able to change the behaviour which we are able to change the behaviour of others and from them we can get the of others and from them we can get the things done according to our liking and if things done according to our liking and if they do not act likewise, then they can be they do not act likewise, then they can be punished. Max Weber, Georage Catlin, punished. Max Weber, Georage Catlin, Robert A Dahl, Morgenthau etc consider Robert A Dahl, Morgenthau etc consider power as central to the study of politics.power as central to the study of politics.

Characteristics of powerCharacteristics of power Power is the capacity to impose your will on othersPower is the capacity to impose your will on others Power is relational and inter-relationalPower is relational and inter-relational It goes with situations and officeIt goes with situations and office It is backed by threat of severe deprivationIt is backed by threat of severe deprivation Power is concerned with external influencePower is concerned with external influence Power is not something materialPower is not something material Power keeps on fluctuating power is backed by Power keeps on fluctuating power is backed by

sanctionssanctions It is always used for specific purposeIt is always used for specific purpose Opposite interest are must for the use of powerOpposite interest are must for the use of power

Sources of powerSources of power The peopleThe people ConstitutionConstitution Parliamentary laws Parliamentary laws ConventionsConventions Knowledge and capabilityKnowledge and capability OrganizationOrganization Social statusSocial status

Religious statusReligious status Control over mass mediaControl over mass media Economic positionEconomic position

Charismatic personalityCharismatic personality FaithFaith SkillSkill AuthorityAuthority

Different forms of powerDifferent forms of power

Economic power-:Economic power-: it means ownership of it means ownership of means of production.means of production.

Political power-Political power-: : it is the power by which the it is the power by which the administrative decisions are taken and implemented administrative decisions are taken and implemented and those who disobey these decisions are punished.and those who disobey these decisions are punished.

Ideological power-Ideological power-:An ideology is a :An ideology is a collection of ideas. Typically, each ideology contains collection of ideas. Typically, each ideology contains certain ideas on what it considers to be the best certain ideas on what it considers to be the best form of government (e.g. democracy, theocracy, etc.),  (e.g. democracy, theocracy, etc.), and the best economic and the best economic system (e.g. capitalism, socialism, etc.).  political system (e.g. capitalism, socialism, etc.).  political parties base their political action and program on an parties base their political action and program on an ideology. ideology.

National power-:National power-: national power is the national power is the collective power of a nation which includes collective power of a nation which includes economic, political, emotional and military power of economic, political, emotional and military power of a nation. It is through the use of this power, a nation a nation. It is through the use of this power, a nation establish relation with other countries and gets its will establish relation with other countries and gets its will enforced on other nations.enforced on other nations.

Methods to exercise powerMethods to exercise power Traditional methods-Traditional methods-: the use of force, to : the use of force, to

create fear, use of cleverness, to divide and rule, to create fear, use of cleverness, to divide and rule, to harass the opponent, to give decoration and political harass the opponent, to give decoration and political offices are some of the traditional techniques of the offices are some of the traditional techniques of the use of political power.use of political power.

Modern methods-Modern methods-:propaganda, control over :propaganda, control over education system, wide use of violenceeducation system, wide use of violence

Distinctive methods-Distinctive methods-: to tell a lie and to : to tell a lie and to make the people believe what you say, to promise make the people believe what you say, to promise victory are such methods which were used by Hitler victory are such methods which were used by Hitler in Germany at wide spread level.in Germany at wide spread level.

Criticism of the concept of powerCriticism of the concept of power

Power is not a mean but an endPower is not a mean but an end Excessive importance to the use of physical forceExcessive importance to the use of physical force Power should be linked with ethical valuesPower should be linked with ethical values Power is a social processPower is a social process

ConclusionConclusion

After going through the different views, After going through the different views, we can conclude that power plays an important role we can conclude that power plays an important role in politics. The complete study of politics is not in politics. The complete study of politics is not possible until we study the struggle for power among possible until we study the struggle for power among various communities, ruling class, opposite groups, various communities, ruling class, opposite groups, pressure groups and political parties etc. but to pressure groups and political parties etc. but to consider politics as only the study of struggle for consider politics as only the study of struggle for power is not correct.power is not correct.

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ByBy Dr. AMANDIP KAURDr. AMANDIP KAUR DEPTT. OF POLITICAL SCIENCE,DEPTT. OF POLITICAL SCIENCE, PGGCG, SEC. 11, CHANDIGARH.PGGCG, SEC. 11, CHANDIGARH.