Politics and Power M.A.M.Fowsar Lecturer in Political Science Department of Political Science South Eastern University of Sri Lanka

Introduction Systematic Study of Politics Scholars / Advisors Politics – Politikos – Polis – City States Academic Field called as Political Science Two traditions of studying politics: Art or science of government Art or science of power

Politics as the Art / Science of Government Oldest meaning of the study of politics: science concerned with the happiness of the citizens of the polis Statecraft (Arthashastra): the art & science of managing a state by a ruler Two early meanings: the body of practices necessary for a ruler the body of knowledge for statecraft

What is Power? Ability to influence an outcome Ability to do something Ability to influence an outcome Exercise of will Altering his or her will Be latent Made manifest Power is one’s ability to decide the behaviour of others according to one’s own wishes.

Politics as Power Power over: one has / exercise over another (government has power over society) Power to: use of power to resist domination (Karl Marx)

Politics and Power Levels of Political Power Interpersonal Level (mother and daughter) Social Level (social groups) State Level (sovereign power) Notion of Sovereign Power: represent the political will of the entire community power to make and implement laws the state has power over each & every ….

Characteristics of Power Limited resource (election) there is a competition for political power Inequality (ruling class) not available to everybody on equal terms. Domination – counter political power usually generates counter political power

Effects of Political Power Negative Effects: compliance submission obedience control subordination Positive Effects: empowerment of powerless

Power and Authority Studied by different thinkers: Authority is power: R.M. MacIver (The Web of Government) Max Weber (Politics as Vocation) Authority is power: but something more than just power right to command obedience legitimacy / mandate / office MacIver given two examples: school principal government

Max Weber and Legitimate Authority Authority= Legitimating Domination justification offered by government officials Justification use by people Three types of authority: Traditional Authority Charismatic Authority Legal-rational Authority Main form of authority in modern capitalist society: legal-rational

Antonio Gramsci: Power as Hegemony Power and It Dimension Antonio Gramsci: Power as Hegemony Prison Notebooks – Hegemony Class Power: consent rather than force is the crucial mechanism of obtaining and maintaining class power Hegemony: different from domination domination by force domination by consent & acceptance should follow non-repressive strategies should be able to establish hegemony over society the establishment of leadership in civil society Political Society Civil Society

Michel Foucault: Power is Everywhere Power and It Dimension Michel Foucault: Power is Everywhere Non-sovereign power – power that exists outside the state Source of Power: state & state apparatus (Liberal & Marxist Theory) state & state apparatus + outside the state & govt. Micro Spaces of Power: Power is defused & dispersed, not concentrated Power is discreet Power exists in society The task of power: Not repression Productive

Hannah Arendt: Power as Potential for Emancipation Power and It Dimension Hannah Arendt: Power as Potential for Emancipation Power is different from: Strength: something belonging to the individual Force: the energy released by social movement Violence: power does not need violence Power springs up whenever people get tougher and act in concert Power exists in the political community (not state) Source of legitimacy is political community

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