Forms of power: criteria and typologies

Power is the ability of a group of individuals or an individual to influence the activities of other people. The essence of power is political domination over a group of people, sometimes even against their will or resistance. Power is the pivot around which the life of the state revolves. It creates forms of functioning, supports the structure, hierarchy of relations in society, serves as a binding component of any society.

Power can be based on fear or coercion, law, reward, standard, expert opinion.

An effect is the behavior of a group or one individual, which has a significant effect on the activities, functioning, sensations, behavior of other people.

Power and influence are the tools by which the group (or personality) of leaders organizes activities, resolves problems that arise. Power is an indispensable component of any organization.

There are different forms of power and influence that have evolved in the course of historical development. Political scientists and sociologists have different approaches to their classification.

This, firstly, depends on the definition of the word "power", which is the basis of the typology. What some researchers consider a full-fledged power, others are considered as one of its forms. Thus, researchers who limit power solely to the form of relations, do not take into account control over production, objects. Those who believe that power is influence, classify forms according to its kinds. From this position, the following forms of power are distinguished:

• Forced, based on fear;
• Based on incentives or remuneration;
• Legitimate;
• Reference;
• Expert.

Dispositional conceptualizations often emphasize forms of influence or power based on abilities. This is particularly noticeable in the analysis of P. Morris. In spite of the fact that he uses the term "concepts of power" rather than forms, he actually isolates it as a general or specific ability.

Secondly, the forms of power are classified in different ways, because they take as a basis different criteria. The most popular is the classification according to the source or motives of submission.

Thirdly, forms of power are often divided by the spheres of its application. This position allows us to isolate power in the family, in production, economic, political, information, etc.

From the point of view of statehood, political power is considered especially important, because it permeates all institutions, people's activities, influences public relations. Political power is an institutionalized, organizational-right type.

All forms of political power, its features, functions are studied by political science or political science.

Political power is specific:

• It is created by delegating certain rights and specific powers;

• always encourages, moves to achieve goals;

• requires the concentration of rights, aspirations of people in the subjects of political power, through which it is realized.

Not all political scientists adhere to this characteristic. Some singled out other criteria of political power:

• Ability or willingness to express political will;

• the impact of political actors on the formation of the legal field, the maintenance of the rule of law;

• establishment of domination in society.

Despite the fact that different political scientists consider these criteria in different ways, most of them are unanimous in determining its forms.

There are such forms of power (political):

• Domination or subordination of a large part of society to the leading subjects of power.

• Leadership implies the development of programs, goals and objectives of the development of society.

• The organization manifests itself in the purposeful and conscious influence of the authorities on all parts of the public state system, facilities for the implementation of the given installations.

• Control.