Changes

synonyms power force energy strength might mean the ability to exert effort. power may imply latent or exerted physical, mental, or spiritual ability to act or be acted upon <the awesome power of flowing water>. force implies the actual effective exercise of power <used enough force to push the door open>. energy applies to power expended or capable of being transformed into work <a worker with boundless energy>. strength applies to the quality or property of a person or thing that makes possible the exertion of force or the withstanding of strain, pressure, or attack <use weight training to build your strength>. might implies great or overwhelming power or strength <the belief that might makes right>.

synonyms power force energy strength might mean the ability to exert effort. power may imply latent or exerted physical, mental, or spiritual ability to act or be acted upon <the awesome power of flowing water>. force implies the actual effective exercise of power <used enough force to push the door open>. energy applies to power expended or capable of being transformed into work <a worker with boundless energy>. strength applies to the quality or property of a person or thing that makes possible the exertion of force or the withstanding of strain, pressure, or attack <use weight training to build your strength>. might implies great or overwhelming power or strength <the belief that might makes right>.

==Wikipedia==

==Wikipedia==

'''Political power''' (''[[imperium]]'' in Latin) is a type of [[power (sociology)|power]] held by a person or group in a [[society]]. There are many ways to hold such power. Officially, political power is held by the holders of [[sovereignty]]. Political powers are not limited to heads of states, however, and the extent to which a person or group holds such power is related to the amount of [[Power (sociology)|societal influence]] they can wield, formally or informally. In many cases this influence is not contained within a single state and it refers to [[Power (international)|international power]].  

'''Political power''' (''[[imperium]]'' in Latin) is a type of [[power (sociology)|power]] held by a person or group in a [[society]]. There are many ways to hold such power. Officially, political power is held by the holders of [[sovereignty]]. Political powers are not limited to heads of states, however, and the extent to which a person or group holds such power is related to the amount of [[Power (sociology)|societal influence]] they can wield, formally or informally. In many cases this influence is not contained within a single state and it refers to [[Power (international)|international power]].  

For analytical reasons, I.C. MacMillan<ref>I.C. MacMillan (1978) Strategy Formulation: political concepts, St Paul, MN, West Publishing;</ref> separates the concepts ''power'' {{Quote|''Power is the capacity to restructure actual situations.''|I.C. Macmillan}} and influence {{Quote|''Influence is the capacity to control and modify the perceptions of others.''|I.C. Macmillan}}

For analytical reasons, I.C. MacMillan<ref>I.C. MacMillan (1978) Strategy Formulation: political concepts, St Paul, MN, West Publishing;</ref> separates the concepts ''power'' {{Quote|''Power is the capacity to restructure actual situations.''|I.C. Macmillan}} and influence {{Quote|''Influence is the capacity to control and modify the perceptions of others.''|I.C. Macmillan}}

== Separation of powers ==

=== Separation of powers ===

[[Charles de Secondat, baron de Montesquieu]] claimed that without following a principle of containing and balancing [[Legislature|legislative]], [[Executive (government)|executive]] and [[judiciary]] powers, there is no freedom and no protection against abuse of power. Separation of power must be in such grade, that any of the branches can operate without excessive limitations from the others; but interdependecy between them must also be in such grade, that one single branch cannot rule out the other's decisions. This is the [[separation of powers]] principle.

[[Charles de Secondat, baron de Montesquieu]] claimed that without following a principle of containing and balancing [[Legislature|legislative]], [[Executive (government)|executive]] and [[judiciary]] powers, there is no freedom and no protection against abuse of power. Separation of power must be in such grade, that any of the branches can operate without excessive limitations from the others; but interdependecy between them must also be in such grade, that one single branch cannot rule out the other's decisions. This is the [[separation of powers]] principle.

A similar concept, termed Division of Power, also consists of differentiated legislative, executive, and judicial powers.  However, while Separation of Power prohibits one branch from interfering with another, Division of Power permits such interference.  For example, in [[Indonesia]], the President (who wields executive power) can introduce a new bill, but the [[People's Consultative Assembly]] (holding legislative power) chooses to either legalize or reject the bill.

A similar concept, termed Division of Power, also consists of differentiated legislative, executive, and judicial powers.  However, while Separation of Power prohibits one branch from interfering with another, Division of Power permits such interference.  For example, in [[Indonesia]], the President (who wields executive power) can introduce a new bill, but the [[People's Consultative Assembly]] (holding legislative power) chooses to either legalize or reject the bill.

==Power projection==

===Power projection===

'''Power projection''' (or '''force projection''') is a term used in [[military science|military]] and [[political science]] to refer to the capacity of a [[state]] to implement policy by means of force, or the threat thereof, in an area distant from its own territory. The [[United States]] [[United States Department of Defense|Department of Defense]], in its publication ''J1-02: Department of Defense Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms'', further defines power projection as

'''Power projection''' (or '''force projection''') is a term used in [[military science|military]] and [[political science]] to refer to the capacity of a [[state]] to implement policy by means of force, or the threat thereof, in an area distant from its own territory. The [[United States]] [[United States Department of Defense|Department of Defense]], in its publication ''J1-02: Department of Defense Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms'', further defines power projection as

While traditional measures of power projection typically focus on [[hard power]] assets (tanks, soldiers, aircraft, naval vessels, etc.), the developing theory of [[soft power]] notes that power projection does not necessarily have to involve the active use of military forces in [[combat]]. Assets for power projection can often serve dual uses, as the deployment of various countries' militaries during the [[Humanitarian response to the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake|humanitarian response]] to the 2004 [[Indian Ocean]] [[2004 Indian Ocean earthquake|earthquake]] illustrates. The ability of a state to project its forces into an area may serve as an effective diplomatic lever, influencing the decision-making process and acting as a potential [[deterrent]] on other states' behavior.

While traditional measures of power projection typically focus on [[hard power]] assets (tanks, soldiers, aircraft, naval vessels, etc.), the developing theory of [[soft power]] notes that power projection does not necessarily have to involve the active use of military forces in [[combat]]. Assets for power projection can often serve dual uses, as the deployment of various countries' militaries during the [[Humanitarian response to the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake|humanitarian response]] to the 2004 [[Indian Ocean]] [[2004 Indian Ocean earthquake|earthquake]] illustrates. The ability of a state to project its forces into an area may serve as an effective diplomatic lever, influencing the decision-making process and acting as a potential [[deterrent]] on other states' behavior.

==Political Science Perspectives==

===Political Science Perspectives===

Within normative political analysis, there are also various levels of power as described by academics that add depth into the understanding of the notion of power and its political implications.  [[Robert Dahl]], a prominent American political scientist, first ascribed to political power the trait of decision-making as the source and main indicator of power.  Later, two other political scientists, Peter Bachrach and Morton Baratz, decided that simply ascribing decision-making as the basis of power was too simplistic and they added what they termed a 2nd dimension of power, agenda-setting by elites who worked in the backrooms and away from public scrutiny in order to exert their power upon society.  Lastly, British academic [[Steven Lukes]] added a 3rd dimension of power, preference-shaping, which he claimed was another important aspect of normative power in politics which entails theoretical views similar to notions of [[cultural hegemony]].  These 3 dimensions of power are today often considered defining aspects of political power by political researchers.

Within normative political analysis, there are also various levels of power as described by academics that add depth into the understanding of the notion of power and its political implications.  [[Robert Dahl]], a prominent American political scientist, first ascribed to political power the trait of decision-making as the source and main indicator of power.  Later, two other political scientists, Peter Bachrach and Morton Baratz, decided that simply ascribing decision-making as the basis of power was too simplistic and they added what they termed a 2nd dimension of power, agenda-setting by elites who worked in the backrooms and away from public scrutiny in order to exert their power upon society.  Lastly, British academic [[Steven Lukes]] added a 3rd dimension of power, preference-shaping, which he claimed was another important aspect of normative power in politics which entails theoretical views similar to notions of [[cultural hegemony]].  These 3 dimensions of power are today often considered defining aspects of political power by political researchers.

[[Category: General Reference]]

[[Category: General Reference]]

[[Category: Political Science]]

[[Category: Political Science]]

[[Category: Sociology]]

[[Category: Sociology]]