SOCIA

L
POWE
R

Definition
The fundamental
concept in social
science is Power.
According to
Weber, power has
something to do
with achieving
ones will.

3 WAYS TO USE
THE
TERM POWER

First
Power is the
ability to achieve
ones will. It is
potential.
Potential
Power (future) the probability of
achieving ones
will in the future.

Second
Power is
describe as ones
actual power.
Actual power
(past) - means
that one has
successfully used
his or her
resources.

Third
Power is used in the
context of trying to
achieve ones will. It
is exerted power.
Exerted power
(present) - is the
use of resources in
a relationship in
order to achieve
ones will.

Sources of
Power

Authority
Position
(Leadership)
Wealth
Organization

Authority
According to Max Weber
there are 3 types of
authority:
Charismatic
Traditional
Legal-rational

Charismatic
Power came from individuals
personal
qualities regarded as
special, is granted legitimate.
This extraordinary individual within
society who gathers around him or
her large numbers of people who
regard that individual with great
awe.

It is the gift of grace.

A sense of peace, stability,
and unity.
It is something that is not
permanent.

Example

Traditional
Over time the tradition
becomes a great ally, and
those in organization because
they accept tradition, come to
accept the inequality. Weber
called such authority as
traditional.

For example, that in highly

traditional organization (such as in
tribal societies), tradition
determines who fills what position
(usually determined by blood), and
people simply accept what
tradition commands.
Therefore, those in high position
have 3 important resources:
position, tradition &

Example

Legal-Rational
This means that structure is
written in the law.
Positions are described in a
constitution and whoever fills those
positions are given a right to
command, and others feel obligated
to follow.
Those in high positions have 3
resources: position,
constitution/law, and

Example

House Speaker Feliciano

Sonny Belmonte Jr.

Senate Pres. Franklin

Drilon

Chief Justice Maria Lordes Sereno

Position
Robert Michels developed a
sociological theory which has come
to be called the iron law of
oligarchy. And translates to the
idea that wherever organization
exists there will be a few people
who dominate because
organization itself releases strong
tendencies for these to occur.

 Oligarchy speaks of the rule of the

few.
Position - is a tremendously important
resource.
Those in high positions come to believe
that the organization is theirs, that
they know what is good, so they
increasingly act to protect themselves,
and much of what they do is designed
to keep themselves in power.

Example
Henry Sy

Gen. Emmanuel Bautista

Pres. Noynoy Aquino

Wealth
According to Karl Marx, if
one owned the means of
production, then one
possessed a great resource.
He called such people the
ruling class.

Marx emphasized class, economic

position. If one as part of the ruling class,
then one had control over other peoples
jobs, and this gave great control over
other peoples lives. The ruling class in
society, because of the great importance
of their economic power, are also able to
control military, and all other important
aspects of society.

 The ruling class is also able to control

the dominant ideas, values and norms
in society. That is because they have
the resources necessary to perpetuate
their ideas, values and norms.
Money is power by Marx and Weber.
Poverty is powerlessness, it is a position
of dependence on others for survival,
for work, for food and shelter. Spending
time surviving allows little time for
influencing society.

Organization
Is the workers only real
resource against the power of
the ruling class.
A group of people who happen
to find a common interest.
The voice of one against the
many.
A voice representing the
masses.

Example

Theories of
Power

Pluralist Theory
It is actually a theory of
democracy.
Power arises from organizations
of people.
Real power lies in the competing
organizations, which represent
the people and influence those in
political positions.
Power is distributed among many
organizations in society.

Example

Power Elite
Theory

Society is dominated by a few

people who fill positions in three
sectors: the economy, the
military, and the government.
Based on the observation of Mills,
Elites are intermarrying, came
from the same families, go to the
same schools, interact, and know
each other well.

The power elite rules primarily in

its own interests, and it influences
everything that we do in all that
we believe and value.
The power of power elite is in the
hands of a few people who fill
certain key positions in society.

Example

Corporate Elite
The power of corporate elite is in
the hands of a few who control
the modern corporation.
The most important resources in
modern society are a few positions
in the corporation, belonging to the
executives and the boards of
directors.
Power is highly concentrated,
according to this theory, and real
democracy is a fiction.

Example

Thank You