Power has always been of a central meaning for the society as it is inherent in any social resp. political or economic relations. This concerns any kind of society, from the simple, primitive clans of hunter- gatherers, which are only segmentary differentiated to the highly differentiated societies of today´s industrial nations. Of course the importance of power relations has grown together with the amount of different social positons. According to its importance, it is a controversially discussed issue in many sciences. Psychology, Sociology, Philosophy and the economic sciences offer a large variety of different theories to explain its diverse aspects. One of the most influential concepts of power has been developed by Steven Lukes in his work “Power: A Radical View”. The following text will compare and contrast this book with Sallie Westwood´s “Power and the Social”. In the process, theoretical arguments and conclusions of both texts will initially be introduced followed by a consideration of several objections to each book.
2. Steven Lukes’ “Power: A Radical View”
In 1974, Steven Lukes published his book “Power: A radical View”. Despite its size of no more than 60 pages, it still had an enormous impact and provided material for further discussions and academic debates on the concept of power, as well as empiric research. However, his approach has been outmost controversially discussed and criticised. In a response to this, he published the second edition in 2005. There, he made concessions to criticism but also vindicated himself and still defends a revised version of his model.
However, in the following text, I will refer mainly to Lukes` 1974 essay, in which he first criticised the theoretical views of power which have been dominant in the earlier part of the twentieth century, that is to say, the one- dimensional and the two- dimensional accounts of power. In the process of his critique on the previous accounts, more importantly, he first introduced his own three- dimensional approach.
To understand Lukes` objections, the one- and two- dimensional concepts shall first be roughly explained.
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Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introductory remarks
- Steven Lukes’ “Power: A Radical View”
- Critique on Lukes account of power
- Sallie Westwood’s “Power and the Social”
- Critique on Sallie Westwood’s “Power and the Social”
- Comparison and conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This coursework compares and contrasts Steven Lukes' "Power: A Radical View" with Sallie Westwood's "Power and the Social," analyzing their theoretical arguments and critiques. The paper aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of both authors' approaches to the concept of power and their relative strengths and weaknesses.
- Different dimensions of power (one-dimensional, two-dimensional, three-dimensional)
- Critiques of existing power theories
- The role of interests and power relations
- Applications of power theories to specific social contexts (race, class, gender)
- The limitations and normative aspects of power theories
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Introductory remarks: This introductory chapter establishes the centrality of power in social, political, and economic relations across diverse societies. It highlights the multifaceted nature of power and the variety of theoretical approaches to its understanding, particularly focusing on the influential work of Steven Lukes and Sallie Westwood. The chapter sets the stage for a comparative analysis of these two perspectives on power.
Steven Lukes’ “Power: A Radical View”: This chapter introduces Steven Lukes' 1974 work, "Power: A Radical View," and its significant impact on power theory. It summarizes Lukes' critique of the one-dimensional and two-dimensional views of power, emphasizing their behavioral focus and limitations. The chapter then details Lukes' three-dimensional approach, which introduces the concept of power as the ability to shape preferences and interests, often through manipulation and control of information, thereby preventing conflict from arising. This chapter also discusses the criticisms leveled against Lukes' model, including charges of narrowness, a focus on domination over power, and the inherent normativity of his three-dimensional view. The chapter concludes by outlining Lukes' response to these criticisms and the enduring relevance of his work.
Critique on Lukes account of power: This chapter delves into the criticisms leveled against Lukes' three-dimensional model of power. Key critiques are explored, including the argument that Lukes' approach overlooks structural power and focuses too heavily on domination. The chapter analyzes criticisms concerning the explanatory power of the three-dimensional model, particularly the "black box" of socialization and the lack of empirical evidence. The debate surrounding the normative implications of Lukes' reliance on "real interests," which might be viewed as paternalistic, is thoroughly examined. Ultimately, the chapter emphasizes that many of the criticisms stem from differing definitions of key terms, highlighting the complexities inherent in social science debates.
Sallie Westwood’s “Power and the Social”: This chapter explores Sallie Westwood's approach to power in her book, "Power and the Social." Unlike Lukes, Westwood does not propose a new theory but rather examines various existing theories of power, incorporating theoretical and empirical analyses. The chapter highlights Westwood's focus on key areas such as race, class, gender, sexuality, space, and the visual, combining theoretical frameworks with substantive analysis. Her feminist perspective and her concern with the experiences of marginalized groups are emphasized. The chapter details Westwood's analysis of racialized power, drawing on the work of Foucault and Hall, examining concepts of racial identity and their social implications.
Critique on Sallie Westwood’s “Power and the Social”: This chapter assesses criticisms of Westwood's work. The critique centers on her sometimes blurred line between scientific analysis and normative judgments, particularly in her analysis of state institutions and their interactions with marginalized groups. The chapter highlights examples where her arguments might be seen as overly assertive or lacking sufficient empirical support. The author's use of emotionally charged language and potentially unsubstantiated claims regarding causality are discussed. The chapter compares Westwood's approach to that of Lukes, noting some similarities in their reliance on value-laden assumptions.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Power, social relations, political power, one-dimensional view of power, two-dimensional view of power, three-dimensional view of power, Steven Lukes, Sallie Westwood, domination, interests, conflict, non-decision making, power and the social, race, class, gender, racism, social structures, critique, feminist theory, power relations, social theory.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comparative Analysis of Lukes and Westwood on Power
What is the main focus of this coursework?
This coursework provides a comparative analysis of Steven Lukes' "Power: A Radical View" and Sallie Westwood's "Power and the Social." It examines their theoretical arguments, critiques, and approaches to understanding power, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses.
What are the key themes explored in the coursework?
The key themes include different dimensions of power (one-dimensional, two-dimensional, three-dimensional), critiques of existing power theories, the role of interests and power relations, applications of power theories to social contexts (race, class, gender), and the limitations and normative aspects of power theories.
How does the coursework summarize Steven Lukes' "Power: A Radical View"?
The coursework summarizes Lukes' critique of one- and two-dimensional views of power, emphasizing their limitations. It details his three-dimensional approach, which includes the ability to shape preferences and interests, often through manipulation and control of information. It also discusses criticisms of Lukes' model, including accusations of narrowness, a focus on domination, and the inherent normativity of his three-dimensional view, along with Lukes' responses to these criticisms.
What are the main criticisms of Lukes' three-dimensional model of power discussed in the coursework?
Criticisms of Lukes' model include overlooking structural power and over-emphasizing domination. The coursework analyzes concerns about the model's explanatory power, particularly the "black box" of socialization and lack of empirical evidence. The debate surrounding the normative implications of Lukes' reliance on "real interests" is also thoroughly examined.
How does the coursework describe Sallie Westwood's "Power and the Social"?
The coursework explains that Westwood, unlike Lukes, doesn't propose a new theory but analyzes existing ones, incorporating theoretical and empirical analyses. Her focus on race, class, gender, sexuality, space, and the visual, combined with substantive analysis and a feminist perspective, are emphasized. Her analysis of racialized power, drawing on Foucault and Hall, is also detailed.
What are the main criticisms of Sallie Westwood's work discussed in the coursework?
Criticisms of Westwood's work center on the sometimes blurred line between scientific analysis and normative judgments, particularly in her analysis of state institutions and their interactions with marginalized groups. The coursework highlights potentially overly assertive arguments, lack of empirical support, use of emotionally charged language, and potentially unsubstantiated claims regarding causality. A comparison with Lukes' approach, noting similarities in value-laden assumptions, is also included.
What are the key words associated with this coursework?
Key words include: Power, social relations, political power, one-dimensional view of power, two-dimensional view of power, three-dimensional view of power, Steven Lukes, Sallie Westwood, domination, interests, conflict, non-decision making, power and the social, race, class, gender, racism, social structures, critique, feminist theory, power relations, social theory.
What is the overall structure of the coursework?
The coursework includes introductory remarks, chapters dedicated to Lukes' and Westwood's work, critiques of both authors' perspectives, a comparison of their approaches, and concluding remarks. It also features a table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords.
- Quote paper
- Val Kauth (Author), 2007, Power in society , Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/115109
