Power and Politics

What is power?

the ability to influence or control people, events, or outcomes.
It exists everywhere and in every human interaction.

What are some sources/forms of power?

Authority, control, dominance, knowledge, money, social currency, privilege, command, and people themselves

What makes power most effective?

Invisible power — when it shapes reality without being noticedW

What does invisible power do?

Frames questions and excludes others unnoticed, influencing decisions we’re unaware of.

Why is power central to political science?

It defines how power operates and who wields it in society.

What are the two main dimensions of power?

“Power to” (empowering) and “Power over” (controlling).

What did Amos Hawley say about power?

Every act and relationship involves power; every social group is an organization of power.

What does “Power To” mean?

The capacity to realize collective good; uplifting and empowering.

What political system is “Power To” associated with?

Democracy.

What does freedom mean under “Power To”?

A responsibility to participate in the system.

What criticism exists of “Power To”?

It’s idealistic — real power is held by elites, and inequalities limit participation.

What role do modern technologies play in power?

They blur the lines of who actually holds power and how it’s used.

What is “Power Over”?

Power that constrains, prohibits, directs, and disempowers individuals or groups.

How is “Power Over” distributed?

Unequally — through race, class, gender, and elite control.

What does “Power Over” do to freedom?

Limits choice, freedom, and participation.

What mentality often uses “Power Over”?

Racist, sexist, or colonialist mindsets.

What did Niccolò Machiavelli distinguish between?

The “is” (reality) and the “should” (morality) of politics.

What did Michel Foucault say about power?

Power is not possessed — it’s productive and exists in all relationships.

What does Foucault’s idea of “Power/Knowledge” mean?

Power and knowledge are inseparable; knowledge systems shape how we think and what we believe.

What is “discourse” according to Foucault?

A system of knowledge that defines reality and controls thought (e.g., media narratives, stereotypes).

What do some modern political actors believe about ethics?

“The ends justify the means” — doing what’s right is seen as unimportant.