Power Power is the capacity or capability by which we are able to change the behaviour of others and from them we can get the things done according to our liking and if they do not act likewise, then they can be punished. Max Weber, Georage Catlin, Robert A Dahl, Morgenthau etc consider power as central to the study of politics.

Characteristics of power Power is the capacity to impose your will on others Power is relational and inter-relational It goes with situations and office It is backed by threat of severe deprivation Power is concerned with external influence Power is not something material Power keeps on fluctuating power is backed by sanctions It is always used for specific purpose Opposite interest are must for the use of power

Sources of power The people Constitution Parliamentary laws Conventions Knowledge and capability Organization Social status

Religious status Control over mass media Economic position

Charismatic personality Faith Skill Authority

Different forms of power Economic power-: it means ownership of means of production.

Political power-: it is the power by which the administrative decisions are taken and implemented and those who disobey these decisions are punished.

Ideological power-:An ideology is a collection of ideas Ideological power-:An ideology is a collection of ideas. Typically, each ideology contains certain ideas on what it considers to be the best form of government (e.g. democracy, theocracy, etc.), and the best economic system (e.g. capitalism, socialism, etc.).  political parties base their political action and program on an ideology.

National power-: national power is the collective power of a nation which includes economic, political, emotional and military power of a nation. It is through the use of this power, a nation establish relation with other countries and gets its will enforced on other nations.

Methods to exercise power Traditional methods-: the use of force, to create fear, use of cleverness, to divide and rule, to harass the opponent, to give decoration and political offices are some of the traditional techniques of the use of political power. Modern methods-:propaganda, control over education system, wide use of violence Distinctive methods-: to tell a lie and to make the people believe what you say, to promise victory are such methods which were used by Hitler in Germany at wide spread level.

Criticism of the concept of power Power is not a mean but an end Excessive importance to the use of physical force Power should be linked with ethical values Power is a social process

Conclusion After going through the different views, we can conclude that power plays an important role in politics. The complete study of politics is not possible until we study the struggle for power among various communities, ruling class, opposite groups, pressure groups and political parties etc. but to consider politics as only the study of struggle for power is not correct.

References Aggarwal R.C., Principles of Political Science, S.Chand Company, New Delhi, 1976. Badyal, J.S, Political Theory, Raj Publishers, 2012, Jalander. Garner James Wildford, Political Science and Government, The World Press Priviate LTD. Calcutta, 1951. Gauba O.P, An Introduction to Political Theory, Macmillan Publisher, Delhi, 2009. Heywood Andrew, Political Theory An Introduction, Palgrave Macmillan, New York, 2005. Misra K.K & Iyengar Kalpana. M, Modern Political Theory, S.Chand Company, New Delhi, 1988.

Ray Amal, Political Theory Idess and Institutions, The World Press Priviate LTD. Calcutta, 1988 Johari J.C, Principles of Modern Political Science, Sterling Publishers, New Delhi, 1989.

By Dr. AMANDIP KAUR DEPTT. OF POLITICAL SCIENCE, PGGCG, SEC. 11, CHANDIGARH.