Power and politics ( Nature and Distribution of power)

Basic mind map of distribution of power

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  • Created by: abbie
  • Created on: 06-01-14 20:03
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  • AQA Power and Politics- Nature and distribution of power
    • Nature and distribution of power
      • Power is the ability to control and influence
        • Authority is legitimate power; Weber said there are three types of  authority
          • Charismatic- give consent to charismatic leader as they have exceptional qualities. Leader inspires loyalty and devotion.
          • Traditional- give consent because people always have. Establishes customs and practices are seen as 'right'.
          • Rational legal- give consent to impersonal legal framework, rules are rational as they have a particular aim and make sense
    • Stephen Lukes- three faces of power.
      • 1) Decision Making- the power to make and implement decisions affecting other people
      • 2) Non- decision making- power to set agendas meaning to limit what is discussed
      • 3) Shaping desires- power to manipulate what people think they want, powerful groups can make people think they want something that in fact harms their interests
    • Marxist view of power
      • Marx believed power is finite meaning there is a limited amount
        • ZERO SUM MODEL
      • He saw society in terms of social class who compete for power.
        • The capitalist class hold all power and use it to exploit the working-class
      • Rejects  authority as legitimate
      • Miliband- suggested that political power is held by the class  who hold economic power
      • Gramsci emphasises the power of ideas in perpetuating capitalism  He developed the idea of 'hegemony' where Bourgeois ideas/values are turned into common sense
    • Functionalist view of power
      • Believe that the amount of power can increase or decrease depending on ho w many people see it as legitimate
      • Power is constant
        • Pluralists believe that all political parties and interest groups can have power over political decision making
      • Dahl- found that there were 'multiple centres of power' so small groups competing for power.

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