Political Sociology - Power

The practice of managing and controlling populations through various means, often using surveillance and regulation.

A model of society where individuals are excluded and isolated, like lepers in the past.

A model of society where individuals are controlled and managed, like a city under lockdown.

A broad term referring to anything that can capture, control, and shape behavior, opinions, and discourse.

A term used by philosopher Giorgio Agamben, referring to devices or strategies that shape behavior and make individuals docile.

The ability to influence people's actions and ideas.

A generalized process where struggles for power within a society are resolved.

Resources that can be given to someone, like money, land, or material goods.

Resources that give control over people, such as authority, instructions, or the ability to tell others what to do.

A type of power where you reward someone for doing something, like "do this and I'll give you that."

Power based on duty or obligation. People are forced to comply because of laws, traditions, or social norms.

Power that allows for agency, freedom, and the ability to act independently.

The first dimension of power where individuals or groups directly influence decision-making processes.

The second dimension of power where individuals or groups influence others' preferences by shaping their perceptions and thoughts.

The third dimension of power, focused on shaping the political agenda by determining what is considered a problem.

The different ways in which people are encouraged to behave, through rules, norms, or influence.

A belief in the right to govern, based on the idea that those in power have the authority to make decisions.

One source of legitimacy where people voluntarily consent to being governed.

Another source of legitimacy, where authority is manufactured through propaganda, ideology, or control of information.

Max Weber's theory of what motivates people to act as social agents, focusing on the sources of legitimacy and authority.

A type of authority based on established customs, traditions, and beliefs passed down through generations. Often rooted in the past and perceived as sacred or timeless.

A form of authority derived from written laws, rules, and regulations. It emphasizes procedures, policies, and bureaucratic structures.

A type of authority based on the exceptional charisma, personal qualities, or extraordinary abilities of a leader. It's often associated with revolutionary figures or religious prophets.

The shared meaning and understanding of social actions, gestures, symbols, and communication within a specific culture. It's essential for interpreting and making sense of social interactions.

Weber's concept that all social actions have a meaningful purpose behind them. It emphasizes the subjective motivations and intentions that drive human behavior.

A tool that Weber used to analyze different aspects of social phenomena. By dividing concepts into types, he could better understand and compare them.

A system of governance characterized by the rule of law, representative government, and the separation of powers. It often relies on elections and citizen participation.

A type of organization based on established rules, hierarchy, and specialized roles. Efficiency, order, and impartiality are key characteristics.

The legitimacy or justification for why people obey and consider a particular form of power valid.

The belief that history and tradition hold a special weight and are essential sources of authority and legitimacy. It often emphasizes the importance of custom and precedent.

When the power of a charismatic leader is formally organized into structured institutions and procedures, ensuring its continuation even after the leader's death.

A form of governance where power is concentrated in the hands of a single individual who holds absolute authority and controls all aspects of society.

A type of authority based on the personal qualities and charisma of a leader, often leading to the assumption of power through persuasion or force. It is common in authoritarian and totalitarian states.

A system of government characterized by a single person or small group holding absolute power and often suppressing opposition.

A state of being where personal experiences and beliefs are seen as equally valid and there are no universal truths or absolute standards of morality or right and wrong, leading to the perception of power as a fluid and diffused concept.

The perception that power is not a fixed or hierarchical construct but rather a complex and subtle set of relationships that constantly shifting and affecting individuals and institutions.

The concept of 'power' as a system of control and domination that operates on the lives of individuals, influencing their thoughts, behaviors and actions.

A state of exception, a situation where normal legal processes are suspended and individuals are deprived of their basic rights, often in the context of emergencies or crises.