What are the theoretical models of societal power? Which one of them is most applicable in advanced industrial societies?. (UPSC CSE Mains 2019 - Sociology, Paper 1)
Power is the ability of individuals or groups to carry out their will even when opposed by others. It implies that those who hold power do so at the cost of others. Power refers to the ability or capacity to control others and it resides in an individual’s status or position in relation to the status and position of the other individuals. Weber famously defines power in his ‘Economy and Society, 1920’ as ‘The chance of men to realize their own will in a communal action even against the will of others who are participating in a social action’. Power can be of two types – coercion and authority. Weberian definition presupposes that power is a constant sum game, but functionalists view it as a variable sum game. They also say that power is exercised by a few, but it is or good of all and it leads to collective well being, higher the well being achieved, more is the power. Parsons regarded power differential as necessary for the effective pursuit of goals of society. Authority is that form of power, which is accepted as legitimate, that is, as right and just. It means that the master has the right to command and can expect to be obeyed. Various basis or sources of power can be – personal power, knowledge power, prestige power, emotional power, community power, power of the elite, class power, organizational power, power of the un-organized masses etc.
Various theoretical perspectives on power are –
- Weber has seen power as a constant sum game in which one exercise power at the expense of the other. He described 3 bases of power – tradition, charisma and legal rational.
- Functionalists see power rested with society and as a ‘variable sum game’. They argue that as collective welfare increases in society, amount of power held by society also increases. Power is not possessed by individuals, but society. According to Parsons, since it is very difficult for society to itself exercise power, social positions are created which are functionally more important and power is exercised through them. Power is used in society to achieve collective goals and this benefits everyone and everyone wins and there are no ‘winning elites’ or ‘losing masses’. This further forms the basis for cooperation and reciprocity in society which is essential for maintenance of well being of society.
- Marxists see power not in form of ‘authority’ (with legitimacy), but in form of ‘coercion’ – of the haves over the have not. It is not a societal resource as claimed by functionalists held in trust by those in authority, but is rather used by dominant groups. Their interests are in direct conflict to with those of who are subjected to power. From Marxian perspective, source of power is economic infrastructure, but it extends beyond economic infrastructure and extends to all other aspects of life as well. Though the ruled class accepts the power of the ruling class, but it is due to a false consciousness. Only way to return power to the people involves communal ownership of force of production and it is possible only through revolution.
- Elite theories are the foremost theories of power. They broadly fall in two categories – Classical elite theories and Pluralistic elite theories. Mosca, Pareto, C W Mills fall under classical elite theorists. Karl Mannheim, Schumpster, Anthony Downs and Robert Dahl are from pluralist tradition.
- According to C.W.Mills Elite theory is most applicable in advanced industrial societies.
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