The Three Dimensions of Power

University:
Bradley University
Course:
PLS 105 | Introduction to American Government
Academic year:

2022
Views:

136

Pages:

2
Author:

komolecjm

The three dimensions of power Dimensions First Second Third Assessing Power Who prevails when preferences conflict? (power should be judged by examining whose views prevail when the actors involved possess conflicting views on what should be done) Who controls whether preferences are expressed? (which groups gain from existing political procedures, and how powerful individuals limit the political debate to safe issues) Who shapes preferences? (the most efficient from of power is to shape people’s information and preferences, thus preventing the first and second dimension from coming into play) The state, authority and legitimacy Authority: The right to rule. Authority creates its own power, so long as people accept that the person in authority has the right to make decisions. Types of authority:  Traditional (the accepted way of doing things)  Charismatic (intense commitment to the leader and his message)  Legal-rational (based on the rule-governed powers of an office, rather than a person) Legitimacy builds on, but is broader than, authority. We speak of authority of an official, but legitimacy of a regime. Legitimacy is much more than mere legality (whether people accept the authority of the political system). Legitimacy: The state or quality of being legitimate. A legitimate system of government is one based on authority, and those subject to its rule recognize its right to make decisions. It provides the most stable foundation of rule. Ideology: A system of connected beliefs, a shared view of the world, or a blueprint for how politics, economics and society should be structured. The concept of “left” and “right” Comparative Politics: The systematic study of government and politics in different countries, designed to better understand them by drawing out their contrasts and similarities. Comparative politics:  Broaden our understanding  Predict political outcomes  Classify political systems