Power-Definition And Approaches

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1. WHAT IS POWER- DESCRIPTION AND APPROACHES

Power is defined as the possibility of imposing ones will upon the behaviour of other persons. Power is very complex, contextual, socially malign and socially essential. So why do we seek power? Power is sought so that one can advance their own interests; pass on their personal, religious and social values onto others and for the joy that comes with exercising it. There are three instruments of power described by Galbraith (1983) they are: Condign, compensatory and conditioned power. Galbraith (1983) also explains three sources of power which allow individuals or groups the right to exercise power. These sources are personality, property and organisation.

Instruments of power

Condign power is when the alternative to submission is unpleasant. Persons will submit to another’s will against their will because if they do not there are negative consequences. Examples of condign power are: inflicting pain, torture, death, mutilation, fines, court, verbal rebuke and condemnation from others. Compensatory power means that submission is gained through giving a reward or payment. Compensatory power is considered more civilized than condign power and is more widely used today. Conditioned power is the ability to exert power through the formation of beliefs. This type of power uses education, persuasion and social commitment to change or mould individuals or groups morals and values therefore the individuals or groups of people are lead to submitting to the will of the imposer. Conditioned power can be explicit (education at school) or implicit (cultural norms, marketing and advertising campaigns). Condign and compensatory powers are both objective (visible). This means that in...

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... However, good organisations have access to all instruments of power, through condign punishment, compensation and conditioning. Organisation has interrelationships with mostly property and to a greater or lesser extent to personality and property. There are three important characteristics of organisation. The first is bimodal symmetry- there needs to be internal and external symmetry for submission to power. Bimodal symmetry is the most component for any organization. The organisation must be strong internally and have a unified purpose. The second characteristic is that organisations need to be associated with other sources of power. The third characteristic is that you must determine the number and varieties of goals used to get submission. The greater the number and diversity of goals the more sources and instruments an organisation will need (Galbraith 1983).

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