Social Choice Mechanisms Research Articles

The Concept of Power: A Critical Defence

Power is one of the most central and yet problematic concepts in sociological theory. It forms the cornerstone of the conflict model of --or more accurately set of assumptions about-society, one of the two major models in sociological theory. For conflict theorists see power as restraining men from destroying society in their competition to satisfy individual needs and wants; it is the 'functional equivalent' of function in integration theory.' Yet, despite widespread use, power remains a slippery and problematic concept. There is little agreement upon basic definitions, individual theorists proposing their own more or less idiosyncratic terminology, and surprisingly little consideration of the implication of alternative usages. Only crude attempts have been made to progress from terminological exegesis and conceptual model building to the formulation of empirical hypotheses; the attempts that have been made have often failed to progress beyond the level of the a-social small group, or have disappeared into the jungle of game theoretic formulae and failed to re-appear, or have degenerated into ideological polemics. In short, theorizing about power has often been confusing, obscurantist, and banal. It is not surprising that March concluded that 'on the whole power is a disappointing concept'.2 This judgement may reflect accurately the utility of the concept of power in the analysis of complex mechanisms of social choice, March's major concern, but is inappropriate elsewhere. The concept of power is more than a Marxist talisman: it can be used to form the basis for