Three-Dimensional View of the Power - Essay Example

Running head: Three-dimensional view of power (Insert The three dimensional view of power as explained by Steven Lukes. (Insert 23th March 2013 Three-dimensional view of power Power is the ability to influence behavior of a person or a group of people without resistance. It is a socially accepted and legitimate structure where a form of authority exists. According to Steven Luke, power can be categorized into three dimensions. The one-dimensional view of power, as put by Robert Dahl, focuses on behavior in decision-making and specifically on some key issues (Dahl 1990). Through political actions, it takes the form of subjective interests. Secondly, the two-dimensional view of power, as stated by Bacharach, criticizes the first dimension’s focus on behavior and focuses on decision-making and non decision-making. It also looks at current and potential issues and expands the focus on observable conflict to those types that might be observed openly or when hidden. However, the two-dimensional still focuses on subjective interests and even grievances. Finally, the three-dimensional covers a wide area of critique. It explores the weaknesses of the one-dimensional view and the two dimensional view and tries to find out a better analysis of power. Luke explains that thought control takes the form of control of information, control of mass media and the process of socialization. Through his analysis, the society is able to get a detailed understanding of power. Max Weber defined power as the probability of individuals realizing their wills despite the resistance of others. Weber insists that the people in authority take advantage of the others due to their power. However, Steven Luke criticizes Weber’s definition because exercise of power may involve the decision-making and control over political agenda. Steven disagrees with the idea that people’s resistance to authority defines power (Luke 1973). Through Luke’s analysis, Weber’s definition of power is seen as too restrictive to one particular area as opposed to being viewed in a more general term. Advantages of three dimensional view of power according to Luke After careful analysis of the one dimensional and two dimensional view of power, Steven Luke came up with the three dimensional view. Using his ideologies, the three dimensional view of power has proved to be an important aspect in the political and sociological views of the society. It is for this reason that the three dimensional view of power outshines the one-dimensional and the two dimensional view of power. The three dimensional view of power has the following advantages: Does not focus on the behavior Unlike the one dimensional where it involves the focus on behavior, Luke focuses on decision making over control. In the one dimensional, Dahl described power as when A has authority to the extent that he can get B to do something that he would not otherwise do (Dahl, 1990). Such a focus is on the behavior of B rather than the actual event. Moreover, the one-dimensional view involves the focus on behavior in making decisions on issues over which there is an observable conflict of interest. However, in three dimensional, emphasis is made on decision-making and control over agenda and not an individual’s behavior. This view of power creates an environment where leaders are able to exercise their powers in a more useful way without a breach on the constitution. Focus on decision making on the agenda and the control over that agenda Luke categorically insists that power is where one has control over the agenda in decision making. The two dimensional view insists that no decision making power only exists where there are grievances which are denied entry in the political process in the form of issues. It further states that if there are no grievances, then there is no form of recognition of power. This in essence is not true, bearing in mind that power is when one has control over agenda in decision-making. The three dimensional view is therefore able to address the misleading concept in the two dimensional view (Luke 1973). The focus on the agenda in the decision-making is necessary for good exercise of power. With proper decision-making, leaders in power are able to make the correct choices for the growth and development of the society hence the focus on decision-making is necessary. Current issues and potential issues are considered It is only in three dimensional that all current issues and potential issues are considered. The current issues of power involve the occurrence of present day authority and different dynamics facing such authority. For example, in the current issues, leaders have to make decisions that are not selfish to their private gains but are supposed to make decisions that are for the good of the society. On the other hand, potential issues of power involve the future dynamics and occurrences in the authority. For example, potential issues are future oriented ideas that are yet to be discussed for full implementation in the society. Even though the two-dimensional view looks at both the potential issues and current issues, Luke expands the critique to include both the overt and the covert. Hence, the three dimensional view is more detailed than the two dimensional view of power. Observable (overt and covert) and latent conflict The second dimensional view of power associates power with actual and conservative conflict hence it is restrictive and in the virtue of that fact, gives misleading information of the American society. On the other hand, the three-dimensional view gives a rather open view of power (Luke 1973). Though, it shows a small extent of conflict that may arise due to misuse of power, the magnitude is small as compared to the one dimensional view and the two dimensional view. Through the three dimensional view of power, a positive picture of power is presented to the public hence public confidence in authority is restored. Subjective and interest The three dimensional view is subjective because it shows policy preference or grievances as opposed to one-dimensional. In this view, emphasis is keenly put on policies, ideas and good use of power unlike in one-dimensional where behavior formed the basis of power. Its subjective nature does not associate power with the actual observable conflict as in the two dimensional view of power. Incorporates analysis of power The three-dimensional view takes into account the idea of power agenda in the analysis of power relations and the question of control. It allows for the careful scrutiny of how potential issues are kept out of the political process is considered. By use of such analysis, important ways of prevention of misuse of power is discussed and analyzed hence such a vice is prevented at an early stage. Is more comprehensive and sufficient Luke considers the nature of power with a more general view. This is achieved by giving the empirical evidence throughout the book by utilizing and criticizing many leading personalities such as Bertrand, max Weber and Robert Dahl’s works and publications in the social science literature. The three dimensional view of power clearly analyses the weaknesses of the one-dimensional view and the two-dimensional view and tries to give a more comprehensive and sufficient report about power (Luke 1973). The comprehensive and sufficient report of power is evident in the arguments put aside by Steven Luke. Has a radical conception Luke claimed that one dimensional view of power opposes liberal conception of interest. In the one dimension, emphasis is laid on behavior in decision making over issues and focuses on the pluralist view of power. Also, in the two dimensional view; focus is on a reformist conception rather than agenda based. Similar to the one-dimensional view, the two-dimensional view also considers a behaviorism perception of power. However, the three dimensional view is a radical conception (Luke 1974). It is more comprehensive and sufficient for the gauge of power views in comparison with the first two. Offers power to avert formation of grievances The three dimensional view offers the power to avert the formation of grievances. This is because it shapes the perceptions, cognitive and preference in a way that the acceptance of a certain role in the existing order is ensured (Luke 1973). Through the three dimensional view of power, all areas of power are addressed hence the society generally accepts the authority over it. By dealing with grievances in an early stage, conflict between those in authority and the society is averted. In conclusion, the analysis of Steven Luke played a crucial role in discussing the complex topic about power. By formulating the three-dimensional view of power, a more precise and comprehensive analysis of power is recognized. Compared to the one-dimensional view of power and the two dimensional view of power, the three dimensional view of power was found to be effective because of its wide coverage nature. The three dimensional view of power has proved to have various advantages like; it focuses on agenda and not behavior, it is subjective, offers power to avert grievances, has a radical conception, is comprehensive, incorporates analysis of power etc. The three dimensional view of power is therefore a driving force in the analysis of power. References Dahl, R. (1990). After the Revolution: Authority is good. Rev edition. New Haven: Yale university press. Luke, S (1973). Power: a radical view. London: Macmillan publishers. Read More