Power is “the ability of individuals or groups to impose their will upon others and make them do things even against their own wants or wishes” (Haviland, 267). One reason for which power is used is behavior modification. In Haiti, for example, religion is used to control morality. They use the population beliefs in Voodoo to maintain people’s good behavior. The ones who do not behave properly are turned into zombies as a punishment and as an example to others.
Power in today’s can be used in many different forms such as to show strength, rank, encouraging others, being an influence, being a leader, and much more. The way you use power in a situation can have a positive or negative impact on an individual, community, country, nation, or even the world. In the short story “Miss Temptation” by Kurt Vonnegut, he describe how power can impact an individual way of thinking of others due to past experiences. Power can anything one allows to have a dominance over their lives. It is the ability to direct or influence the behavior of others or the course of events.
The meaning of power is the capacity or the ability to direct or influence the behavior
But first what is Power? When researching Power words such as authority, control, direct, command and influence all appear. These words all support the following statement “Power is the ability to influence and control the behaviour of others.” The problem with power is that it often leads to those in power abusing it. As Lord Acton famously quoted “Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”
Power is the ability or capacity to do something or act in a particular way, Power is not only strength it is a human relationships, power is the authority one person holds over another. In the play The Crucible,written by Arthur Miller. Three characters Abigail Williams, Reverend Hale, and Judge Danforth. All want to gain power as the play goes on. But it takes a turn and influenced them negatively.
Although Henry did not alway carry himself with much dignity in his early years, he is portrayed as a powerful and honorable. Being a king puts him at the top of the social ladder, and garners respect from almost all below him. Along with this respect though, comes expectations. Henry is expected to be fearless and fair based upon his position in society.
The implication is that the people are being ruled. Henry used his skills in speech to persuade the Council or Parliament that trying to rule over others was wrong. He spoke out against the way things had always been done and
Power and influence in society have a huge impact on the way things happen and affects perception. A prime example is the power that presidents and prime ministers have. Given this power they can effectively influence and persuade others. Power and influence is often associated with gender, conflict and roles and relationships. The importance of the power and influence can be thoroughly examined using texts that demonstrate ideas presented as truths.
King Henry is portrayed to us as the main leader within the English ranks and an important component of their strategy. One characteristic of Henry’s leadership is that he is able to forge close connections with his men. During the Battle of Harfleur, we see him describe his men as “dear
Abraham Lincoln once said, “nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.” Power changes the way people act. Power has a negative effect on others because King Creon became a bad king and Hitler used it to lie and kill people. Power had a negative effect because Creon became a bad king. Creon won’t let Antigone bury her own brother.
Power is the ability to actor do something in a particular way. People who have too much power and abuse it, and turn their power into a negative power. Fear and tyranny are abused by people with power creating a negative effect on society. Leaders with a huge rule of power will abuse their role as a leader by creating a fearful environment.
Power is shown in Animal Farm when the animals start to revolt and take charge of the farm by themselves. The animals started rules for themselves that everyone had to follow, they all believed that “whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy” (Orwell 33). Basically everything
Power as conceptualized by critical theorists. Power is one of the words that holds great effect. It is defined by Webster (2015) as “the ability to control people or things; a person or organization that has a lot of control and influence over other people or organizations”. In general, a person or organization that holds power has authority over others. Thus, power is conceptualized in the organizational communication by critical theorists.
Some would say power is the ability to control a group and have them become your followers while maintaining a strong leadership role. The two books, Animal Farm and Lord of The Flies use power through the two main chiefs of the novels. The book Animal Farm, by George Orwell, is about a group of animals that declare a rebellion against the owner of their farm. They take the farm over, and make Napoleon, the main character who is also the dictator of the book, take leadership of the farm. On the other hand, the book Lord of The Flies, by William Golding is about a group of boys who are stranded on an island with no adults.
(ii) Power and Conflict: The capacity the one person has the influence over the other persons such that other persons act in accordance with his/her wishes can be defined as ‘Power’. Conflicts could be both positive and negative. Good conflicts could be encouraged but bad conflicts ought to be prevented.
