Conceptual Foundations

Power, Influence, Authority.

What is Power?
The

ability of A to get B do
something that B wont otherwise do.
Capability to change behavior.

Characteristics of Power
1.

2.
3.

4.

Social relationship. It implies that actions

are taken because of the leaders power. In
its absence, maybe the followers wont act.
Transitive. It has subject and object.
Two views of power. One from the
viewpoint of the power holders; another
from whom the power is applied.
Situational. Depends upon situation,
circumstance and position.

Types of Power
1.

Potential power. Based on capabilities.

2.

Power in use. It has three forms:

1.

2.
3.

Coercion. Use of threat of severe actions.

Psychological (e.g. brainwashing), or use of
force (e.g., physical force).
Inducements. Rewards for compliance. May be
psychological, material, economic or political.
Persuasion. Using arguments and information to
get people to act as the persuader desires.

Sources of Power
1.
2.

3.

Force (Coercive power). Easily seen.

Historically successful.
Wealth (Reward power). Those who control
wealth can give some to others. Strategy of
maintaining loyalty. Patron-clientelism.
Expertise (Expert power). Knowledge is
power. Leader possesses superior
information and ability.

Sources of Power
4.

5.

Position (Legitimate power). Position in

organization is the surest avenue to
power. Position is tangible.
Popular support (Referent power). In
democracy, source of power. May
determine appointment or promotion of
a politician, e.g., from MP to Minister.

Power and Influence

Often considered to be different: one is
hard, the other soft, authority.
Influence involves a kind of prediction in the
forms of advice, encouragement, warning,
etc. Power involves threats or promise.
Power rests on the ability to manipulate +ve
or ve sanctions, influence does not.

Power and Corruption

Lord

Acton: Power tends to corrupt, and

absolute power corrupts absolutely.
Argument: power must be limited.
Counter-argument: will limited power end
corruption? Not necessarily, because the
perception that power is limited may lead
to corruption in order for leaders to achieve
more power. So, there is no guarantee.

Power in Islam
Power

is a means, not an end. (the ends

justifies the means-Niccolo Machiavelli)
Power is put in an active moral
framework. (Power is a means to serve
Allah, to earn a blissful eternal life and
thus a source of mercy and justice for
humanity).

Authority

Authority is formal or legal, as distinguished

from personal power.
It is legitimate (confirming to established rules
and procedures)
Features of authority:
1.

2.

Position: a set of patterned expectations about

behavior that members of society attach to a
position in an institution.
Individuals: those holding the position of authority.

Sources and Types of

Authority
Max Webers typology:
1.Traditional authority: based on ancient
customs or traditions or conventions (e.g.,
monarchy).
2.Charismatic authority: leadership based on
extraordinary personal qualities that command
obedience, such as magical gifts, access to
divinely truth, oratical skills, etc.
3.Rational-legal: based on acceptance of
publicly articulated, society-wide rules and
regulations, issued by duly authorized public
officials.

Discussion question:
1.Why is the transmission of politics
important? How does it differ from the
manifestation of politics.
2.Differentiate power and authority.