Power

By R Gallagher

I. POWER vs. AUTHORITY

A. Power – identifies the control and/or

authority to act that one person or group has over another.

– It may be described in terms of one individual over others, an institution over individuals, or one region or nation over another.

POWER vs. AUTHORITY (cont.)

B. Authority – is power credited to individuals or

organizations by virtue of their positions in society

– Ex. the principal of the school has authority because he/she is the principal

– the Premier of Saskatchewan has authority because he/she is head of the provincial government

– As well, an individual or organization may have the power of authority because of because of wealth, charisma, special abilities or wealth, charisma, special abilities or education, intellectual abilities, education, intellectual abilities, accomplishments and strength of character.accomplishments and strength of character.

POWER vs. AUTHORITY (cont.)

• An example of the difference between power and authority…The mob has the power to punish someone for “wrong doing.” But they don’t have the authority to do it.

II. FORMS OF POWER

A. Influence Persuasion rational arguments to sell self-interest

or public interest emotional appeals to friendship or

loyalty show the benefits offer rewards or bribes use emotion or reason Ex. It is in your best interest to have the

quiz on Thursday because I can have it corrected and back to you on Friday.

FORMS OF POWER (cont.)

B. authority

respect for the position of the person who gives the command

accept the authority of adults EX. You respect the captain of

your team when he asks that everyone turns the lights out at curfew.

FORMS OF POWER (cont.)

C. force A. Can come in the form of…

Violence unpleasant consequences Confinement fines denial of privileges removal of property EX. You are not allowed to

watch TV until you obtain a 75% average in Social Studies

III. Sources of PowerA. superior resources

To have resources that are better or more numerous

Ex. Technology, weapons, education

B. greater numbers The greater the number of people

supporting a cause the more power the group has.

Ex. Overthrowing a ships captain.

C. more effective and efficient organization The more prepared a group is the greater

their power is. Ex. 4 of you could play the kindergartens

soccer and win. You are more organized and effective than they are. You have more power, despite the fact they outnumber you.

IV. Synergy vs. Cooperative

• Synergy is the outcome of combined action, which results in a greater effect than the sum of the individual components working independently.

• A cooperative is an organization in which members work together to achieve a goal.

V. Cooperatives

A. Why are cooperatives formed?– People feel they have no power in

the market place. – No one, or no existing

organization, is providing a service that is needed.

– People’s jobs or communities would disappear if the people did not join together to save them.

– There is a desire to keep the control and profits of business in the community.

Cooperatives (cont.)

B. What is a cooperative?– A cooperative is an organized

group of people working together for the good of the whole group.

– People join together to meet their own needs in a co-op.

– The co-op members own the organization and benefit from its successes. The community also benefits because the wealth of the co-op stays in the community.

Cooperatives (cont.)

C. What are the different types of cooperatives?

i. producer or marketing (frequently owned by farmers to market agricultural products)

ii. consumer/retail (owned by consumers, e.g., Steephill Foods in Saskatoon)

iii. worker/employment (the workers also own the business)

iv. housing (people jointly own and live in these co-ops, including houses, townhouses, mobile homes and apartments)

v. service (provide the members with a special service, such as a health care)

vi. financial (a credit union is a financial cooperative that provides services similar to a bank).

VI. AuthorityA. Authority protects our rights:

– Authority can be used to provide order and security in people's lives (e.g., air traffic controllers prevent accidents and provide safety for airplane passengers).

– Authority can be used to protect important rights and freedoms (e.g., the Charter of Rights and Freedoms).

– Authority can be used to ensure that benefits (advantages) and burdens (disadvantages) will be distributed fairly (e.g., laws ensure that all children have an opportunity to receive a free public education; parents' rules may require each of their children to help with household chores).

Authority (cont.)

B. Authority:– The power of authority accrues by

virtue of a person or group's position in society.

– The power of influence may come from respect for the individual based on factors such as wealth, charisma, special abilities, intellectual abilities and strength of character.

– The power of individuals, groups, and institutions often relies on various forms of coercion.

C. the three purposes of authority in society:

1. to provide order and security 2. to protect important rights and

freedoms 3. to ensure that the benefits and

burdens are distributed fairly.

VII. Authority and Democracy

– Democracy is a system of government in which the citizens have power through their elected representatives.

– All democratic forms of government are not the same.

VIII.Equality and Fraternity

• Equality and freedom deal with personal rights.

• Fraternity deals with the rights of others.

IX. Autocracy, Oligarchy & Democracy

A. Oligarchy • is a method of government where a

small group has power through wealth, social position, an organization or military strength.

B. Autocracy :– Autocracy is a method of

government where a single person has power through wealth, social position, an organization or military strength.

– All autocratic and oligarchic forms of governments are not the same.

C. Democracy

– A system of government in which the citizens have power through their elected representatives

X. International Organizations

• are created when the leaders of several countries join together to respond to an international need (e.g., peacekeeping, hunger and food shortages, care of children, agriculture,

• Individually, these nations each have limited power, but together, they have the collective power of the group with which to make and carry out decisions.

• The member nations of international organizations meet regularly to discuss global issues.

• Each organization develops a set of “rules” by which all the members must abide.

• They make decisions in a democratic manner, and carry out their responsibilities to achieve the aims and goals of the particular organization.