Conceptual Foundations

Power, Influence, Authority.

What is Power?
 Theability of “A” to get “B” do
something that “B” won’t otherwise do.
 Capability to change behavior.
Characteristics of Power
1. Social relationship. It implies that actions
are taken because of the leader’s power. In
its absence, maybe the followers won’t act.
2. Transitive. It has subject and object.
3. Two views of power. One from the
viewpoint of the power holders; another
from whom the power is applied.
4. 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. Coercion. Use of threat of severe actions.

Psychological (e.g. brainwashing), or use of
force (e.g., physical force).
2. Inducements. Rewards for compliance. May
be psychological, material, economic or
political.
3. Persuasion. Using arguments and information
to get people to act as the persuader desires.
 Sources of Power
1. Force (Coercive power). Easily seen.
Historically successful.
2. Wealth (Reward power). Those who
control wealth can give some to others.
Strategy of maintaining loyalty. Patron-
clientelism.
3. Expertise (Expert power). Knowledge is
power. Leader possesses superior
information and ability.
Sources of Power
4. Position (Legitimate power). Position
in organization is the surest avenue to
power. Position is tangible.
5. 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. Position: a set of patterned expectations about
behavior that members of society attach to a
position in an institution.
2. Individuals: those holding the position of authority.
 Sources and Types of
Authority
Max Weber’s 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.