POWER
In Sociology
o the capacity to influence, lead, dominate, or otherwise have an impact on the life and
actions of others in society.
In POLITICS
o the ability of an individual or a group of people to influence the thoughts, actions, and
mindset of people in a nation. This power can be legitimate power given to an entity
by the people of a nation that holds authority over society. Political power can also be
illegitimate, meaning power has been seized through illegal or unjust means.
In GOVERNMENT
o the AUTORITY of an individual's or group's right to use power by making decisions,
giving directives, and demanding compliance. This power can be used for good
purposes, such as to pursue society's collective goals and progress a nation forward.
Political power can be used for evil purposes if authority is placed in the wrong
hands.
In GENERAL
o Power is derived from the Latin verb "Potere" (to be able)
o Thus power may be appropriately defined as that which enables one to accomplish
goals.
o Power is the capacity to act or the strength and potency to accomplish something.
o Power is the ability of a person, team or organization to influence others through the
use of energy and strength.
NATURE OF POWER
Potential to influence behavior:
The agent has the potential to influence the behavior of the target. He may or may
not, however, use that potential.
Dependence of target on agents:
The agent is assumed to have power on target if the target is dependent on the
agent for achieving some goal.
Control over one's own behavior:
Though the agent has power over the target, he cannot make the target perform
actions which he does not want to perform. The target has discretion over his own
behavior.
Specific to people and situations:
Power is the ability to command others. It cannot, thus, be general. Only certain
people can exercise power in certain situations. Exercise of power is greatly related
to its source.
Two way relationship:
Those who influence the behavior of others are also influenced by the behavior of
someone above them. The agent to a target may also in some situations, be a target
to some agent.
DIMENSIONS OF POWER (Heywood, 2007)
Decision Making - consists of conscious actions that in some way influence the content of
decisions.
Consists of conscious actions that in some way influence the content of decisions.
The implication of this view of power is that the most powerful actors in society are
those whose opinion are considered and upheld in decision making.
The powerful can get what they want and make others behave the way they wanted
them to.
Agenda – refers to the motive of the person who wants to have power or the reason why
one wants to be paced under the influence of another person.
The ability to prevent decisions being made: that is, in effect, “non-decision-making”
It involves the ability to set or control the political agenda, thereby preventing issues
or proposals from being aired in the first place.
Manipulation (thought control) - The ability to influence another by shaping what he or
she thinks, wants, or needs.
This is power expressed as ideological indoctrination or psychological control.
TYPES OF POWER (John French and Bertran Raven)
1. Legitimate power - Kind of power which is oftentimes referred to as positional power.
There is a legal and formal basis for the acquisition or delegation of power to a
certain individual and there are relative position and duties and responsibilities.
It is based on the follower’s perception that the leader has the legitimate right or
authority to exercise control or influence over him or her
2. Expert power - It is based on the perception that the leader possesses some special
knowledge, skills, or talents and expertise. It is the power of knowledge.
3. Referent power - It is based on the follower’s liking, admiring, or identifying with the
leader.
It is the potential influence one had due to the strength of the relationship between
the leader and followers.
When the leader is seen as a role model.
4. Reward power - It is based on the leader’s capacity to mediate rewards for the followers.
It involves the potential to influence others because one’s control over desired
resources.
Someone with reward power can give raises, bonuses, promotions, can distribute
parking spaces, or can grant tenure.
5. Coercive power - It is based on the follower’s fear that non-compliance with leader’s
wishes or commands will lead to punishment. It is the ability to control others through
the fear of punishment or the loss of valued
outcomes.
6. Informational Power – power that comes from access
to and control over information.
CONSEQUENCES OF POWER
1. Commitment - A more desirable outcome because of
the trust and emotional pledge that it causes. It is
perceived as loyalty or a sense of dedication or devotion.
2. Compliance - Readiness or act of agreeing to do something.
Compliance with the order may occur if it is perceived to be within the leader’s scope
of authority.
Compliance is most likely to happen if the reward is something valued by the target
person.
3. Resistance - It means to refuse or to oppose. It is the most likely outcome when coercive
power is used in a hostile or manipulative way. (Yukl 1989)
AUTHORITY - refers to power that has been institutionalize and is recognized by the
people over whom it is exercised.
1. Traditional authority - It refers to the legitimate power conferred by custom, tradition,
belief, and accepted practices.
2. Charismatic authority - It is a type of power which derives its origin from an individual’s
certain quality which set him apart from ordinary men and treated as endowed with
supernatural, superhuman, or at the very least, especially exceptional powers or
qualities.
3. Legal-Rational authority - It is established in law or written regulations that determines
how a given society will be governed.
4. Coercive Authority – Authority is based on the use of force such as police or military force
to demand obedience from the subordinate
SOURCES OF POWER
1. Authority - It is the right to enforce obedience without question and it exists without the
imposition of sanctions. Authority has usually legal bases.
2. Human resources - It refers to the number of persons who willingly render obedience and
cooperation to someone
3. Skills, Knowledge - Someone assumes power because he/she is believed to have
expertise on something or has special abilities.
4. Psychological factors - It refers to habits and attitudes toward obedience and submission,
usually given voluntarily.
5. Material Resources - The degree to which a person controls property, natural resources,
financial resources, the economic system, the means of communication, and
transportation.
6. Sanctions - The punishment for not rendering obedience.
FOR YOUR PT.
Use A4 bond paper or yellow pad, whichever is available.
The output may be printed or handwritten, provided that it is
neat and legible.
Select one recent political phenomenon in the Philippines.
Attach a news article or news clip (printed or text-based)
that discusses the chosen political phenomenon.
Submission date: January 5, 2025.
Based on the news clip you attached, answer the given
questions in complete and well-organized sentences. Your
answers should not exceed seven (7) sentences.
1. Who in the news clip demonstrates the use of power?
Identify and enumerate the individual(s), institution(s), or
group(s) involved.
2. What type of power is being exercised in the news clip?
Explain your answer and briefly describe how this power is
manifested.
3. What do you think is the most likely consequence of this use
of power?
Support your answer with logical reasoning based on the
situation presented in the news.