Written by Power may be defined as the ability to exert control over the activities of others.
It is the ability to influence the behaviors or actions of a group of people through the use of sanctions.
That is, power is the capacity to impose your will on others through the use of sanctions.
Power is the ability of a person to command otherwise to do what they would otherwise not ordinarily have done.
Forms of Power
1. Political power: This is the power of political officeholders to lead the populace and compel obedience to state laws.
Political power is usually derived from holding political positions.
Examples of people with political power are the presidents, senators, commissioners, and Local government chairmen.
2. Economic power: This is a power that emanates from the possession of economic resources.
We have seen wealthy people exercising some kind of control and influence in our society nowadays. This highlight the importance of economic power.
It is important to note that economic power is not only associated with individuals, nations do possess economic power.
For instance, we have observed how the USA uses its economic might to exert control and influence over some nations.
3. Military power: Just like its name seems to suggest, military power is the power possessed by military men.
Therefore, any power that the police or armed forces hold is military power.
One thing to note is that during a military coup, military power can be abused to overthrow a civilian government.
4. Physical power: This kind of power is common in our society.
Physical power is the power exercise who are physically stronger than you.
This kind of power may be misused in the sense that it can be used to bully people.
Acquisition and Exercise of Power
Power can be acquired and exercised in one of the following ways:
1. Constitution: This is the most widely used and accepted method of attaining power, particularly political power.
In most situations, the constitution specifies how power will be attained, which is typically through elections.
The constitution also gives an outline of how power is to be exercised so as to prevent abuse of power.
2. Position of authority: A person can also acquire power by virtue of his holding a position of authority.
If someone holds power because they are in a position of authority, that power will vanish the moment they leave that position.
For example, a manager of a company will have power over his subordinates as long as he remains the manager of a company.
If he vacates the position, his power to exert control over the subordinates will no longer be valid.
Another good example is a president. He has absolute political power over everyone and everything in the state for as long as he is the president.
Once he vacates the position, he can no longer control the affairs of the state.
3. Coercion: Power can also be acquired through the use of force or military power.
A good example of acquiring power through coercion is a military coup, which usually involves military men overthrowing the civilian government.
Because acquiring power through coercion is usually illegitimate, it is not always recommended for a person or group of people to acquire power through the use of force.
4. Charisma: A person can acquire power through personal charisma.
Charisma is the compelling attractiveness that a person possesses and uses to influence others.
Nelson Mandela is a perfect example of a charismatic leader.
5. Hereditary: Acquiring power by hereditary is a very common form of acquiring power in a monarchy system.
Power acquired hereditary is usually passed down from one generation to another.
The downside of the hereditary transfer of power is that it can lead to an unqualified person acquiring power just because he is related to the monarch.
The disadvantage of the hereditary transfer of power is that it may allow someone who is not qualified to hold office to do so simply because he/she is related to the monarch
