This annotated reader is an introductory guide to some of the most significant perspectives on power within social and political theory. Its 15 chapters contain extracts from Giddens, Lukes, Bourdieu, Weber, Arendt and Foucault, each with its own comprehensive introduction.
This is an original account of social/political power, which builds upon cutting edge social theory, including Steven Lukes and Michel Foucault. The book develops a four-dimensional model, in an accessible style with vivid examples. It is ideal for undergraduates, postgraduates, academics and activist who wish to understand power and conflict. -- .
Although the concept of power is central to the study of politics, there is no agreement as to what exactly power is. Power is often viewed negatively, as domination, though it is also the case that power is created by people acting in concert, in which case it can have positive effects. Making sense of this puzzle is one of the aims of this book, which provides the reader with a clear and coherent way of understanding the various forms and manifestations of power, and it does so by bringing together the most important and influential perspectives on power within the political and social sciences. From the Contents: Mark Haugaard and Kevin Ryan: Power in Social and Political Theory John Gledhill: Power in Political Anthropology Stewart Clegg: Foundations of Organizational Power Jill Vickers: Gendering Power: Feminist Approaches John A. Hall and Siniša Maleševic: The Political Sociology of Power Philip G. Cerny: Power and International Relations