more from Steven Lukes

Single Idea 22859

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

Full Idea

A may exercise power over B by getting him to do what he does not want to do, but also by influencing, shaping or determining his very wants.

Gist of Idea

Power can be exercised to determine a person's desires

Source

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

Book Reference

Lukes,Steven: 'Power: a radical view' [Macmillan 2005], p.27


A Reaction

The classic modern instances of this are advertising and control of the media. This was apparently a new idea from Lukes, but it seems fairly obvious now. This is his third dimension of power.