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Much of the recent [[Sociology|sociological]] debate on '''power''' revolves around the issue of the constraining and/or enabling nature of power. Thus, power can be seen as various forms of constraint on human [[action]], but also as that which makes action possible, although in a limited scope. Much of this debate is related to the works of the [[France|French]] philosopher [[Michel Foucault]] ([[1926]]-[[1984]]), who, following the [[Italy|Italian]] political philosopher [[Niccolò Machiavelli]] ([[1469]]-[[1527]]), sees power as "a complex strategic situation in a given society [social setting]". Being deeply structural, his concept involves both constraint and enablement. For a purely enabling (and voluntaristic) concept of power see the works of [[Anthony Giddens]].

Much of the recent [[Sociology|sociological]] debate on '''power''' revolves around the issue of the constraining and/or enabling nature of power. Thus, power can be seen as various forms of constraint on human [[action]], but also as that which makes action possible, although in a limited scope. Much of this debate is related to the works of the [[France|French]] philosopher [[Michel Foucault]] ([[1926]]-[[1984]]), who, following the [[Italy|Italian]] political philosopher [[Niccolò Machiavelli]] ([[1469]]-[[1527]]), sees power as "a complex strategic situation in a given society [social setting]". Being deeply structural, his concept involves both constraint and enablement. For a purely enabling (and voluntaristic) concept of power see the works of [[Anthony Giddens]].

[[Feminism|Feminist]] analysis of the [[patriarchy]] often concentrates on issues of power, as in the frequent feminist argument: ''Rape is about power, not sex''.

[[Feminism|Feminist]] analysis of the [[patriarchy]] often concentrates on issues of power, as in the frequent feminist argument: ''Rape is about power, not sex''.

Some feminists distinguish "power-over" (influence on other people) from "power-to" (ability to perform).{{Fact|date=February 2007}} Feminism is not about being "better than."  It is about understanding how power relations work to construct societal norms related to gender, race, sexuality, class, and other forms of social division.

Some feminists distinguish "power-over" (influence on other people) from "power-to" (ability to perform). Feminism is not about being "better than."  It is about understanding how power relations work to construct societal norms related to gender, race, sexuality, class, and other forms of social division.

===Foucault===

===Foucault===