Power

Description

From Stephen Lukes at http://www.gdnet.org/middle.php?oid=603

"In his seminal book, Lukes outlines three dimensions of power. The first dimension is the power of A to influence the behaviour of B. This exercise of power is observable and is tied to public conflicts over interests. It is played out in public decision-making processes. Dahl's classical study, 'Who Governs?', defines power in this way.

The second dimension is the power of A to define the agenda, and thus to prevent B from voicing her/his interests in the public negotiation and decision-making process. Potential issues and conflicts are not brought into the open, to the benefit of A and to the detriment of B. This exercise of power can be both overt and covert.

The third dimension is the power of A to define what counts as a grievance, and to mould B's perceptions and preferences in such a way that B accepts that she/he does not have any significant grievances. The power to shape people's thoughts and desires is the most effective kind of power, since it pre-empts conflict and even pre-empts an awareness of possible conflicts. This dimension of power can be played out for example in processes of socialisation, the control of information, and the control of the mass media." (http://www.gdnet.org/middle.php?oid=603)

Discussion

Kinds of Power

1. Protocollary Power
2. Anti-Power
3. Non-representational Paradigm of Power
4. Power Law
5. Power Law of Participation
6. Society of Control
7. Wisdom Game

More Information

1. Power Laws Weblogs and Inequality - Clay Shirky
2. Web 2.0 as Power to the People
3. Power Laws of Innovation

From the P2P Manuscript

1. 4.2.A. De-Monopolization of Power
2. 4.3. Evolutionary Conceptions of Power and Hierarchy
3. 5.1.B. Equipotentiality vs. the Power Law

Books to Read

1. A Theory of Power Jeff Vail. 2004
2. Protocol. Alexander Galloway.
3. Stephen Lukes. Power: A Radical View. Macmillan, 1974