Power and AuthorityPower and Authority

“Tapping the Roots of Power”Gene Sharp, Ch. 2

“Tapping the Roots of Power”Gene Sharp, Ch. 2

What is Power?What is Power?General Perception

Ability to do/act

Political or national strength

Control over others

Military Force

Political control of government

Legal authority

Synonyms

Capacity

Energy

Strength

Antonyms

Incapacity

Weakness

Power Derived from ViolencePower Derived from ViolenceDominant group so powerful it can ignore the good of those it dominates to achieve goals

Tyranny, Dictatorship, Oppression, Indoctrination, Genocide

Self-perception of population: weak, powerless, vulnerable, dominated, victims

Problems exist because one group has the power to impose its will on a weaker group that can’t imagine possessing sufficient power to improve their lives

Who Benefits?Who Benefits?Pervasive belief that “real” power come from the barrel of a gun, then whoever has the most and biggest guns will find it much easier to maintain control

Such populations generally submit

When resistance does occur, such populations assume violent overthrow is necessary

Violent rebellion, assassination, terrorism, guerrilla warfare

Odds of SuccessOdds of Success Unlikely

General population MORE likely to suffer massive casualties

Violent overthrow retains power structure, leading to new, often worse, oppression

Real “success” SHOULD result in the previously dominated people gaining greater freedom and control over their own lives

Monolithic Theory of Power

Monolithic Theory of Power

Political and Economic Elite

Masses of Ordinary Citizens

Freedom is “given” by the Elite to the MassesBoundaries are set and violations punished by the Elite

Misperceptions of Power

Misperceptions of Power

Top- Down distribution of Power does Exist, BUT it is NOT:

Inherent (a given)

Permanent (Fixed and Unchanging)

Monolithic (massive, solid, uniform)

So what is power if it isn’t about power over?

“Power Over”“Power Over”

Power and Authority of the “Ruling Elite”depends upon the willful cooperation and obedience of the masses

The PEOPLE always choose their government

Intimidated choice (imposed)

Affirmative choice (ascribed)

Important InsightImportant InsightPower relationships are not fixed and unchangeable, deriving from

Varying degrees of power wielded by respective groups in the society

Degree to which groups have mobilized power potential into effective power

Degree to which social, economic, and political institutions are flexible and responsive to the will of various sections of the population

Social Theory of Power

Social Theory of Power

Ruling Elite

SanctionsMaterial

ResourcesIntangible

FactorsSkills &

KnowledgeHuman

ResourcesAuthority/Legitimacy

Core InsightCore InsightPower must be constantly regenerated via the continued cooperation of its sources

If sources “turn off” (noncooperation), power is lost

People do not always do what they are told

Sometimes people do things that are forbidden

http://www.elfwood.com/~arabiana/Forbidden-Fruit.2537371.html

Sources of PowerSources of PowerLegitimacy

Human Resources

Skills and Knowledge

Cultural, Religious, or Ideological Factors

Material Resources

Sanctionshttp://gadgets.fosfor.se/glowing-cable/

LegitimacyLegitimacy

Ascribed, based on perception and acceptance of superiority

Automatic (titles, jobs)

Increased via actual or perceived responsiveness, charisma, education level, class status, etc)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcvSNg0HZwkhyperlink

Human ResourcesHuman ResourcesThe number of people who obey, cooperate, provide special assistance

The proportion of such people in the general population

The extent and forms of their organizations

Skills and KnowledgeSkills and

Knowledge

What skills, knowledge, and capabilities by members of the leader’s organizations directly apply to his/her goals and needs?

Cultural, Religious, or Ideological Factors

Cultural, Religious, or Ideological Factors

Indoctrination

Psychological and ideological factors, such as habits and attitudes toward obedience/ submission and the presence/absence of a common faith, ideology, sense of mission, or identity contribute to the leader’s power

Intangible FactorsIntangible Factors

Appealing to cultural, nationalist, religious, economic, and/or group identity

Embedded cultural patterns/ dynamics such as patriarchy, respect for elders, belief that leader is a representative of god, shared symbols (ie. flag), consumer loyalty, social hierarchieshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a71h6LZKXTc

http://tclehner.wordpress.com/category/patriotic/

Material ResourcesMaterial ResourcesTo what extent does the leader control property, natural and financial resources, economic, communications, transportation and other cultural systems?

Provide access to raw materials, transportation, money, food, health care, shelter, infrastructure

SanctionsSanctionsIn what ways can and does the leader enforce obedience?

What are the types and extent of sanctions, punishments and rewards the leader may use to reinforce his/her power/authority?

Why People ObeyWhy People Obey

Habit

Fear of Sanctions

Moral Obligation

Self-Interest

Identification with the leader

Indifference

Absence of self-confidence

Command and Obedience

Command and Obedience

Mutually influential interaction between ruler/ruled

All rulers use obedience and cooperation of some to rule the whole

Those most likely to cooperate and obey generally do so out of moral obligation, self-interest, and identification with the ruler

The masses obey out of habit

Command and Obedience

Command and Obedience

The reasons people obey is always variable

Obedience is also variable (not fixed, uniform, automatic of universal)

There are always boundaries within which rulers must stay to remain effective

When those boundaries are transgressed, people become more willing to withdraw obedience and consent

Prerequisite Prerequisite The will and attitude of the oppressed must shift:

Away from passive submission to self-respect and courage

Away from feeling controlled to awareness that they make the existing regime possible

Away from passivity/apathy to a determination to withdraw consent

http://www.jonathanhilton.com/69/confidence/

Power is VulnerablePower is VulnerableAs the relative desire of the populace to take control increases

As the relative strength of independent organizations and institutions increases

As the relative ability of the people to withhold consent/cooperation through concrete actions increases

http://rodsprod.typepad.com/

Change Occurs When:

Change Occurs When:

Sources of power of dominant groups are restricted or severed

Sources of power of weaker groups are mobilized or strengthened

or Both of the above

Effective nonviolence requires an accurate understanding of the power dynamics

http://mashable.com/2008/01/21/delete-your-myspace-account-day/