more from Steven Lukes

Single Idea 22863

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

Full Idea

Poulantzas (1968) defined his concept of power as the capacity of a social class to realise its specific objective interests.

Gist of Idea

Power is the capacity of a social class to realise its interests

Source

Steven Lukes (Power: a Radical View (2nd ed) [2005], 1.8)

Book Reference

Lukes,Steven: 'Power: a radical view' [Macmillan 2005], p.57


A Reaction

Lukes offers this as an account of power in terms of structures, rather than of the actions of individuals. Lukes says that power must include the ability of the agent to act differently. Power must involve responsibility. Power is not fate.

Related Ideas

Idea 22861 Power is affecting a person in a way contrary to their interests [Lukes]

Idea 23142 People are fallible, so liberalism tries to distribute power [Gopnik]