Power (sociology)

Sociologists usually define power as the ability to impose one's Will on others, even if those others resist in some way.

Types and sources of power

Power may be held through:

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

• Delegated authority (for example in the democratic process)
• Social class
• Personal or group charisma
• Ascribed power (acting on perceived or assumed abilities, whether these bear testing or not)
• Expertise (Ability, Skills) (the power of medicine to bring about health, another famous example would be "in the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king)
• Persuasion
• Knowledge (granted or withheld, shared or kept secret)
• Money (financial influence, control of labour, control through ownership, etc)
• Force (violence, military might, coercion).
• Moral suasion
• Application of non-violence
• Operation of group dynamics
• Social influence of tradition (compare ascribed power)
• In relationships; domination/submissiveness