Unit 3 Study Notes.docx

Unit 3 Study Notes Many of the most important concepts in political analysis have to do with relationships of control. This is because so much of political life centres on the way in which power is distributed, whether it is among persons and groups in society or among all the states in the internat...

Unit 3 Study Notes Many of the most important concepts in political analysis have to do with relationships of control. This is because so much of political life centres on the way in which power is distributed, whether it is among persons and groups in society or among all the states in the international system. What differentiates these concepts from those detailing structures is the relational and more active nature of power and the way that it is sought and maintained. Power is often referred to as the principal concept in political studies because it attends to both the dynamic and static nature of political life. That is to say, power may be pursued or maintained in an active manner (dynamic) through, for instance, the waging of war, or creation of economic trade zones; power may also be thought of as a measurement of politics (static), since we may examine comparatively actors in political life based on their access and control of power resources, such as natural attributes (oil and arable land, for instance) or influence (diplomatic expertise and respect). Power is an operative concept in that it represents one’s ability to do or act in a manner they would like. Furthermore, it allows us the opportunity to create a sort of hierarchy of actors and interests in political systems, since the exercise of power involves the limiting or impairing of the recipient’s choice in some respect: to exercise power over someone involves controlling, to a lesser or greater extent, their freedom of action. Influence is closely related to the concept of power, since it refers to the effect that one person, or group of persons, has on another. Like power, influence is also an operative concept because it represents the capability of actors to persuade others to do their will. Power and influence are often referred to in tandem by virtue of their logical connection: influence is most often used to procure power, and power is an essential requirement for influence. Authority refers to the right to exercise the power and influence of a particular position achieved through regular, known, and widely accepted procedures. The matter of the “right” to extend this power and influence is important since the rights and responsibilities given to these political and administrative actors rely on the regularized relationships between government and the governed. Authority is granted voluntarily because individuals are thought to possess certain characteristics considered necessary for the position occupied; alternatively, both sides may recognize that the person in authority possesses a special understanding of the situation that is not fully or readily available to others. We can assess the distribution of power by examining which individuals or groups are most successful in affecting a variety of decisions (the “first face” of power). Some argue, though, that power can be manifested in less obvious ways, such as when a dominant elite keeps issues that might threaten its position off the public agenda (the “second face” of power). These first two faces of power assume that the political actors are aware of their own interests. However, this may not be the case. Lukes argues that powerful groups can prevent their potential opponents from understanding where their true interests lie (the “third face” of power). The third face of power implies that there can be a difference between perceived interest and actual interest. The concept of “hegemony” may be helpful in answering how this may be possible. On this account, those in power do not only determine what is legal and illegal, they also determine what is normal and abnormal. As such, the power wielded by the dominant groups appears to be legitimate.