Abstract
It has been assumed that ‘Power’, following Gallie’s analysis, is an essentially contested concept. However, in this paper, it is argued that the modern concept of power is beyond this primitive definition. In order to understand the concept of political power, one must consider the notions of ‘rights’ and ‘power’. Hence, the first aim of the paper is to introduce power as an ‘essentially integrated concepts’. Furthermore, the reciprocal relation between the concepts of political power and political rights produces what here is called ‘the political consciousness’. Commemorating the complex but reciprocal relationship between power and right not only invites us to have a new perspective on the concepts of power but also helps us to understand the theory of political consciousness. After categorizing the concepts of power, the final part of the paper defines sovereignty (Herrschaft), power (Macht) and legitimate power.
Highlights
Introduction complex concept and it is the core essence of a society
We may ask: what is ‘political power’? Can we define it in a way that it can comprise all the aspects in which the different power structures rely on it? As political power is crucial and the rivalry of political powers is inevitable, there have been discussions between political philosophers, sociologists, political anthropologies and political scientists on the different definitions of political power and the different ways in which political power can be justified
The fatherhood of power is “found in violation, in the raw will to domination, in some divine sanction which makes of power a second religion; in some moment of contract between members of incipient political society,” [20] in decisions or policy “involving severe sanction [53],” and in constant involvement of equilibrium [20], in an intuition of others and their rights [54] which make power a crucial element of respect, in the recognition of benefit, capability, and resource, in a ‘processual relation’ [55], in the autonomous will to influence asymmetrically
Summary
“Legitimacy is the foundation of such governmental power”, Sternberger wrote, “as is exercised both with a consciousness on the government's part that it has a right to govern and with some recognition of that right by the governed” [22] This combination embraces all concepts of political power in a form of essentially not contested concepts – but, on the contrary, the essentially integrated concepts - , which is a reciprocal constitutive part of political power. The legitimacy of political power is the effect of a developing capacity or ability in a power relation which is based on the rational and historically intended wills Such phenomenon can be called as ‘consciousness of rights’ or ‘political consciousness’, which engages with both sides of the government and the governed. The usurpation of power, is basically the violation of the principles by which power as is exercised based on the political consciousness
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
