1. Power and Influence LCS Consulting
Presentation adapted from Fowler, F.C. (2009) “Power and Education Policy” in Policy Studies for Educational Leaders. Boston. Pearson Education.

2. What is Power? Merriam Webster: Dictionary.com:
Political Scientist Robert Dahl:
A has power over B when A is able to directly affect B’s behavior.

3. What is Power?
Lukes (1975) and Gaventa (1980) proposed a three dimensional model of power.
Explicit Use of Power
Mobilization of Bias
Shaping of Consciousness

4. Explicit Use of Power Direct, often observable 4 Mechanisms
Legislators creating policies
School board determining curriculum
4 Mechanisms
Force
Economic Dominance
Authority
Persuasion

5. Mechanisms of Power Force Economic Dominance Authority Persuasion
Either physical or psychic, neither are ethical.
Economic Dominance
Using power over the employment or prospects of others.
Authority
Based on legitimacy, four types.
Persuasion
Includes socialization, manipulation and rational persuasion.
4 types of Authority: parental (patriarchal authority), charismatic, competent, legal

6. Mobilization of Bias
Implicit use of power, those being influenced may be unaware of it.
Many Mechanisms
Customs
Norms
Organizational Structures
Procedures
Social Rules
Traditions

7. Mobilization of Bias Examples
Minimum lot sizes in housing developments
Nashville’s English Only Bill
(Though this could be considered explicit as well.)
Test procedures and questions that favor a particular group
Public meetings held during work day or in less accessible locations

8. Shaping of Consciousness
Subliminal control over the thoughts and desires of others.
Major shapers of consciousness are:
Families
Schools
Religion
Mass Media

9. Shaping of Consciousness
Can be a major source of messages affecting education and education policy.
Empowerment/Disempowerment
Students and community residents are affected
Feelings about efficacy
Affect the motivation of students, and the willingness of community members to get involved

10. Thought Exercise
Make a list of 5 people or groups in your community, organization, network, etc. who you feel have power.
For example – school board members, councilmen, wealthy citizens, teachers union president
Where does their power come from and how do they exercise it?
Think back to explicit power, bias, shaping of consciousness and the mechanisms
Ask for volunteers to share their answers and compile brief list.

11. Power Resources
As most of us are aware, power is based on access to and control of resources.
What resources does your organization have?
Material Resources
Social Resources
Knowledge Resources

12. Power Resources Material Resources Knowledge Resources
Money (access to or control of)
Time
Knowledge Resources
Control over information
Technical expertise
Communication skills
Control over

13. Power Resources Social Resources Access Size (for organizations)
Popularity
Visibility
Social Status

14. Thought Exercise What resources do the people on our list have?
What resources does your organization have?
What resources COULD your organization have that it currently does not?

15. Thoughts for the Day
Remember to apply, apply, apply. Information is useless unless you are able to make connections with the realities of your organization.
Understanding power involved knowing not only who has it and who does not, but who has what types, and where it is coming from.

16. Morning Break-Out Sessions
Web Campaigns: Using the internet to gain visibility. (Conference Room A)
Testing the Waters: Evaluating your policy environment. (Conference Room B)
Power and Ethics: Gaining and Using Power in Ethical Ways.
(Conference Room C)