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Single Idea 22857

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

Full Idea

The two-dimensional view of power is a major advance over the one-dimensional view. It incorporates the question of the control of the agenda in politics.

Gist of Idea

The two-dimensional view of power recognises the importance of controlling the agenda

Source

Steven Lukes (Power: a Radical View (2nd ed) [2005], 1.4)

Book Ref

Lukes,Steven: 'Power: a radical view' [Macmillan 2005], p.25


A Reaction

So One-D is controlling what happens in conflicts, and Two-D is controlling the nature of the conflicts. If we keep digging we may come to the power which no one knows exists.


The 15 ideas from Steven Lukes

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]