Lecture on Power in Political Science
Introduction to Power
- Power is a critical yet elusive concept in political science.
- Retreat: Discussion on new ways of thinking about power and resources.
- Power is a tricky idea with varied definitions and perceptions.
- Influence of ideology on perceptions of free choice.
Nature of Power
- Power is often invisible and deeply embedded in rules, practices, institutions, and structures.
- Experience of power varies among individuals and groups.
- Power can be micro (individual) or systemic (intersectional).
- Political science focuses on correlations rather than causations.
Concepts of Power
Pluralism and Democracy
- Democracy as a hive of competing groups with different interests.
- Critical view: Not everyone can organize and advance their interests equally.
- Challenges in mobilizing resources, e.g., geographic and weather constraints.
- Assumptions of pluralism may not align with true democratic ideals.
Social Movements and Change
- Mechanisms of social change: social movements, mass protests, rebellions.
- Effectiveness of these mechanisms can change over time.
- Resource mobilization and advocacy by groups are central to democratic processes.
Intersectionality and Group Dynamics
- Group memberships, both online and offline, mediate individual actions and influence.
- Intersectionality plays a role in how voices and actions are perceived and valued.
- Public vs. private behavior and the influence of movements like #MeToo.
Conclusion
- Power dynamics reproduce forms of oppression and exclusion.
- Need to understand how power operates within and across groups.
- Upcoming discussion: Power over.
This lecture provides a comprehensive overview of the concept of power in political science, emphasizing its complexity and the various ways it can be understood and studied.