2.7 The Dimensions of Power

(This is an archived extract from the book Patterns of Power: Edition 2)

Power relationships are classified in an analysis framework in this book. There are four ‘dimensions’ of structured governance, where power is exercised in a predefined manner:

The ‘Economic Dimension’ encompasses the power that consumers, private companies and governments exercise over each other as they interact to create wealth and obtain goods and services – usually through financial transactions.

The ‘Moral Dimension’ describes ways in which people influence each other’s behaviour by encouragement and persuasion; it includes religious and non-religious rules and expectations.

The ‘Legal Dimension’ consists of the formally explicit rules which are applied by a group to its members, using coercion if necessary, to enforce some aspects of behaviour for which persuasion alone is perceived as being insufficiently effective.

The ‘Political Dimension’ describes the arrangements by which decision-makers – politicians – are appointed to act on behalf of the people, their mechanisms for determining what is needed and what influences their decisions. Politicians have decision-making powers in other dimensions of governance but there are pressures on them which have a purely political aspect, including their need for popular support. They are responsible for orchestrating many important negotiations.

It is argued here that these four dimensions, whilst they are inter-connected, differ fundamentally in how power is exercised and in the nature of their authority. Both Economic and Moral power can be exercised by one person directly upon another, irrespective of any formal authorisation, but Economic power is inherently financial. Legal power requires formal authority, is tightly defined and is relatively stable in nature. Political power, although it has a structure of authority, works through numerous channels and is inherently dependent upon the agreement of its subjects; it is constantly affected by changing circumstances. Each of the next four chapters explores one dimension in turn – highlighting the differences and connections between them.

There are some power relationships for which there are no pre-defined rules or expectations, so a trial of strength is used to establish a balance of power on a case-by-case basis. This necessitates a fifth dimension of analysis:

‘Self-Protection’ is the term used in this book to describe the reliance upon an ad hoc balance of power as a substitute for, or as supplementary to, established forms of governance.

This fifth dimension can be seen either as freedom from the constraints of formal governance or as a burden: a vulnerability to threats and a need to make one’s own arrangements.

The four dimensions of structured governance can be seen either as a constraint or as an empowerment, as illustrated in this diagram:

Each dimension creates a space for individual freedom:

· freedom to create wealth by setting up a business or by taking a job;

· freedom from threats to the security of person and property;

· freedom of belief and worship;

· freedom of expression and limits on government interference.

These freedoms may be complemented by empowerment:

· access to goods or services (subject to affordability);

· access to a legal system to resolve conflicts;

· confidence in a supportive community;

· a voice in how one is governed.

Within each dimension, power – which may take the form of authority, capability or influence – is distributed unevenly. Giving more power to one person or group may adversely affect other people, as is demonstrated in the next five chapters of this book.