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Single Idea 22855

[filed under theme 24. Political Theory / C. Ruling a State / 1. Social Power ]

Full Idea

The one-dimensional view of power involves a focus on behaviour in the making of decisions on issues over which there is an observable conflict of (subjective) interests, revealed by political participation.

Gist of Idea

One-dimensionsal power is behaviour in observable conflicts of interests

Source

Steven Lukes (Power: a Radical View (2nd ed) [2005], 1.2)

Book Ref

Lukes,Steven: 'Power: a radical view' [Macmillan 2005], p.19


A Reaction

It seems unbalanced to give this the pejorative label 'one-dimensional', as if it wasn't really power at all. Watching police beating demonstrators looks like real power to me. His point that power runs deeper is, of course, a good one.

Related Idea

Idea 22856 Political organisation brings some conflicts to the fore, and suppresses others [Lukes]


The 15 ideas from 'Power: a Radical View (2nd ed)'

Hidden powers are the most effective [Lukes]
The pluralist view says that power is restrained by group rivalry [Lukes]
Power is a capacity, which may never need to be exercised [Lukes]
In the 1950s they said ideology is finished, and expertise takes over [Lukes]
Anyone who thinks capitalism can improve their lives is endorsing capitalism [Lukes]
One-dimensionsal power is behaviour in observable conflicts of interests [Lukes]
Political organisation brings some conflicts to the fore, and suppresses others [Lukes]
The evidence for the exertion of power need not involve a grievance of the powerless [Lukes]
The two-dimensional view of power recognises the importance of controlling the agenda [Lukes]
Power can be exercised to determine a person's desires [Lukes]
There is collective action, where a trend is manifest, but is not attributable to individuals [Lukes]
Liberals take people as they are, and take their preferences to be their interests [Lukes]
Power is affecting a person in a way contrary to their interests [Lukes]
Power is the capacity of a social class to realise its interests [Lukes]
Supreme power is getting people to have thoughts and desires chosen by you [Lukes]