Starting a conversation about power, we immediately focus on the fact that this term is very vague, and there are many definitions for it. The situation is more complicated than it seems. This is due to the fact that the question of what power is, many respond extremely subjectively. For some, it is a means of enslavement, for others it is a means of restoring order, which is necessary for the safe development of people and society.
What is power
It manifests itself in the most diverse aspects of our lives - people are ruled not only by other people, but also by emotions, instincts, feelings and much more. All this is important, but in this case it will be more about the political aspect.
What is power? This is the regulatory and control, organizational and central principle of politics, it is a problem of political knowledge, culture and man, known since ancient times.
Power, the definition of which we are considering, is understood differently. In one of the main interpretations, it is defined as specific relations arising between various kinds of social actors. It is possible only where there is a social relationship in which one of the parties depends on the other. Dependence is an important factor. Mr. Lasswell argued that power is a specific means of improving living conditions. He also called it an end in itself, which allows you to enjoy having it.
What is power? A fairly broad definition is given to her in theological interpretations. In them, it is understood not only as a phenomenon that occurs in the human environment, but also when people begin to interact with the world around them: both man controls the world and the world man.
T. Parsons defined this concept as the ability of a system to force elements to a specific activity, allowing to achieve specific goals.
Yes, the points of view in this case really differ from each other. The main conclusion can be made as follows: one cannot consider power as an exclusively natural or political phenomenon.
In the primitive communal system, she had a social orientation. Its foundation then was the authority of the elders. Over time, the above system fell apart, and the authority of the elders fell. With the advent of the state, power became public. Apparatuses began to appear, as well as special compulsory institutions that had the authority to apply various kinds of sanctions to persons who did not want to fulfill the authority requirements of authoritative persons.
The political nature of power appeared precisely at the moment when the state was formed. Without such relations and power itself, its existence would simply be impossible.
The described term is often understood as social relations, which are expressed in the ability of a particular individual or their group to make any decisions for other persons. In such cases, it often comes to management. Power and management have much in common. These concepts are sometimes identified. This approach is incorrect, since there is still a difference. The first in meaning and content is wider, the second follows from it. The concept of "power" is more abstract than the concept of "management."
Summing up, I want to focus on the fact that power is really important. Only it allows you to maintain order in a society that always needs to be managed. Organization is an important element of development, without it chaos sets in. Ideally, individuals with the right to influence the behavior of others should act deliberately, and their goal should be to achieve some public good. This does not always happen, since people tend to use power for the most part to achieve their own goals.