ipl-logo

Three Faces Of Power Theory

919 Words4 Pages

understand the 'hidden face' of power as in Steven Lukes' (1974) “three faces of power” it is necessary to explore beyond what initially appears from a policy decision or political standpoint. The realms in which the media operate can be quite complex, gauging an understanding to these is essential when trying to understand the various sources of power that the media controls and hence can manipulate. There have been numerous theories and theorists which have been introduced throughout this course regarding various conceptions of power, the 'two faces' view of Bachrach and Baratz (1970) provided the framework for the view on power. However, it was not until Lukes (1974) “three faces of power” theory which expanded on the work of Bachrach and …show more content…

The power which comes with being able to set agendas is one of the greatest assets in being able to dictate a given political situation by way that the base of power lies with those who have the ability of "non-decision making" (Lukes 1974). Stated by Bachrach and Baratz (1963) opposing the pluralist view, it is the behaviourist view, that "power can take certain issues out of the process of decision-making, making it forever inaccessible to the public agenda" (Lukes 2005). This is a key element of the ‘hidden face’, which is the other side of a two-dimensional viewpoint on power. The additional dimension is added to that of the aforementioned one-dimensional classical pluralist theorem. The most successful way to exercise the power by its 'hidden face' is by making sure that something does not appear on the agenda in the political arena. It is the power to get all parties involved to "accept their role in the existing order" and it is the news media that hold the key to this as they can aid in the "shaping of their perceptions, cognitions and preferences". It is the 'hidden face' that possesses the greatest of control and with control comes …show more content…

It is how the powerful manipulate the powerless in order to fulfil the needs of those with power. What one may have here is a latent conflict, which consists in a contradiction between the interests of those exercising power and the real interests of those they exclude. These latter may not express or even be conscious of their interests, but ... the identification of those interests ultimately always rests on empirically supportable and refutable hypotheses (Lukes 2005). This is a vitally important power source used in politics and is fundamental in order to succeed. This power was even referred to by Lukes (1974) as “insidious” in nature, as it is seen as almost an abuse of power from those in higher positions especially the political elite on those more vulnerable or open to manipulation of working class background in

Show More
Related
515 Words | 3 Pages

Undoubtedly, The President is the furthermost known person in a country due to the position he occupies and many times his actual power has been questioned. Two distinct perspectives arose to describe the president’s power as persuasion and unilateral power. First, the persuasive perspective from Richard Neustadt illustrates presidents’ power as persuasive. It highlights what Neustadt believes that is a misconception among the general public who believe that the president is a supreme authority that governs the country, as he prefers from his oval office.

Read More
485 Words | 2 Pages

In our world, there is power everywhere you look from schools, into classrooms, at restaurants, and even at home. There are many forms of power like a coach, teacher, or president but all show power in our society

Read More
776 Words | 4 Pages

But first what is Power? When researching Power words such as authority, control, direct, command and influence all appear. These words all support the following statement “Power is the ability to influence and control the behaviour of others.” The problem with power is that it often leads to those in power abusing it. As Lord Acton famously quoted “Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”

Read More
288 Words | 2 Pages

"Tapping the Roots of Power" and "An Active Technique of Struggle" are two chapters where Gene Sharp, analyzes how power is continuously interchangeable amongst the oppressed which are usually minorities and their oppressors which usually are symbolized by people of power. In both chapters, Sharp in great detail gives the reader many scenarios in which oppressed groups through civil disobedience fight against their oppressors, usually leading to victory which resembles freedom and liberation. Although oppressed groups have a great deal to loose, their constant struggling motivates them to fight against the oppressor and regain their liberty and rights back. Once minorities start to challenge authority, their obedience is lost. Once this happens,

Read More
593 Words | 3 Pages

Power is not an object, nor is it a verb. It is a feeling. An action. Power can both destroy and save lives. Power is “the capacity or ability to direct or influence the behavior of others or the course of events.”

Read More
266 Words | 2 Pages

Power is best understood as pursuing freely chosen ends, towards which our actions are oriented and are then commanding the necessary means towards the pursuit of those ends. Power, therefore, is an enabling capacity. The more power one has, the wider is their range of choices that they may realistically pursue (Bauman & May 2001). Bauman & May notes, “To have power, among other things, means to be able to decide what is not important and what should not matter or concern” (120). This definition of power by Zygmunt Bauman and Tim May was chosen because it best relates to the circumstances in The Hunger Games, in which President Coriolanus Snow possesses power over the Capitol and other districts.

Read More
1954 Words | 8 Pages

The Importance of propaganda for governments. Propaganda is a very powerful tool for governments it’s one of the most effective ways of controlling

Read More
1029 Words | 5 Pages

Power is often the root at which conflicts begin. As those on the bottom attempt to gain power and those at the top of the power dynamic attempt to consistently degrade those below them to prevent them from gaining influence. In William Shakespeare’s Othello, the surprise, seemingly societally transcendent, ability for Othello to gain power and Othello to be able to marry Desdemona, is immediately followed by those in power trying to relieve Othello of his role in society, leading Othello to even attempt to exert his own power. The powerful men of Othello attempt to destroy and subjugate the lives of others to prevent them from advancing and maintaining power.

Read More
889 Words | 4 Pages

Power and Corruption When in the wrong hands, power can be used as a weapon to exploit and belittle others. If power is misused, it usually leads to dire consequents, like in A Thousand Splendid Suns, where two women fall victim to those who control them. In the novel A Thousand Splendid Suns, Hosseini proves that once a person is promoted to a place of authority, he or she will inevitably become corrupted by the power that he or she holds. For power to hold any value, one must be able to generate fear and submission from his victims.

Read More
919 Words | 4 Pages

(ii) Power and Conflict: The capacity the one person has the influence over the other persons such that other persons act in accordance with his/her wishes can be defined as ‘Power’. Conflicts could be both positive and negative. Good conflicts could be encouraged but bad conflicts ought to be prevented.

Read More
1011 Words | 5 Pages

Power and influence in society have a huge impact on the way things happen and affects perception. A prime example is the power that presidents and prime ministers have. Given this power they can effectively influence and persuade others. Power and influence is often associated with gender, conflict and roles and relationships. The importance of the power and influence can be thoroughly examined using texts that demonstrate ideas presented as truths.

Read More
1372 Words | 6 Pages

Power as conceptualized by critical theorists. Power is one of the words that holds great effect. It is defined by Webster (2015) as “the ability to control people or things; a person or organization that has a lot of control and influence over other people or organizations”. In general, a person or organization that holds power has authority over others. Thus, power is conceptualized in the organizational communication by critical theorists.

Read More
1111 Words | 5 Pages

Power can be translated to the “ability to influence others” (Agunis, Pierce, & Simonsen, 1998, p. 456). Barack Obama has influenced millions in his lifetime by taking the power he desires to have, from being an attorney, moving up to Illinois State Senator, to becoming a US President for two terms. While he was a Senator in 2004 he was invited to speak at the Democratic National Convention. In his Keynote Address, he expressed different bases of power as he spoke. The bases of power, as explained by Agunis, Pierce, and Simonsen, are reward, coercive, legitimate, referent, and expert.

Read More
795 Words | 4 Pages

It believes that all individuals are born with an increasing desire to own power hardwired inside them. In these circumstances dominant states should do direct high power over their rivals. In the other hand, structural realism does not define the quest for power, instead it is focused on the structure of the international

Read More
1263 Words | 6 Pages

Undoubtedly politics is “the study of influence and the influential”, there is most certainly truth in Harold D.Lasswell’s definition of politics. Throughout the course of this essay the study of politics will be examined in relation to Laswell’s definition. Furthermore the concept of government and how people influence government action will be looked at. In Lasswell’s book “Politics, Who Gets What, When and How” he clearly outlines the “influential are those who get the most of what there is to get”, in his opinion politics was primarily to do with power and influence. Lasswell’s definition of politics has been in the past supported by prominent political scientists such as Abraham Kaplan and Robert A. Dahl, both men believe the study of politics is largely to do with the use of influence by those who find themselves in influential positions.

Read More

More about Three Faces Of Power Theory

Related Topics

Open Document