NATURE AND BASES OF POWER

When it comes to power, there are sources of where that power came from. Each member of a group recognizes
that certain individuals in their group possess a degree of power based on their role, position and relationships.
Therefore, power can be classified into five bases:
1. Coercive power- this power is based on a person’s ability to compel other people through threats,
punishment and force.
2. Legitimate power- is based on a person’s position, role and duties in a group. (Example: President and
Mayor).
3. Expert power- Relies on the knowledge and skills of the individual. (Example: A doctor has the power to
conduct an operation because he is expert in that field).
4. Referent power- this power is based on an individual’s personality and ability to attract followers.
(Example: Responsible and charming person always win in a classroom election).
5. Reward power- Is based on the ability to give rewards and benefits. (Example: Giving money or bribe in
order to win the election).

TYPES OF POWER
According to Max Weber, a German sociologist proposed a classification of power based on different types of
authority.
1. Charismatic authority- is based on the personal qualities of the individual who wields power. It is based
on his or her traits and how he/she is perceived by other people in the society.
2. Traditional authority- it is rooted in traditional values and existing social ties and institutions. (Example:
Kings and royal families who passed the throne to their next lineage and not by election).
3. Legal-Rational authority- is based on the system of laws and regulations. A person is able to exercise
because he/she has been empowered by the law. (Example: The President of the Philippines, Senators,
Congressmen).

DIMENSION OF POWER
To identify what bases or type the power a person has, one must first look at the dimensions of power. There
are three main dimensions of power used in politics, such as:
1. Physical Power- this dimension uses tangible and empirical resources to gain power. (Example: The use
of money, position, rewards, laws and force to control followers).
2. Informational Power- This has something to do with how data can gain power. Because in this era, those
who have information have power over others. (Example: Why do USA keep sending space satellites
and shuttles in space?)
3. Emotional Power- There is power in people’s emotions. (Example: People tend to follow those people
they truly believe in rather than following money and rewards).

CONSEQUENCES OF POWER
The fact that we can see and succumb to power means that power has both positive and negative consequences. On
one hand, powerful CEOs can align an entire organization to move together to achieve goals.

NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES OF POWER

According to John Dalberg, “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” Power was inherently
evil and its holders were not to be trusted. One reason that power can be so easily abused is because individuals are
often quick to conform. By this, many people practice corruption because of the power they hold.

POSITIVE CONSEQUENCES OF POWER

 Power helps people to take action. Makes individuals more responsive to changes within a group and its
environment. Because powerful people are more proactive, more likely to speak up, make the first move, and lead
negotiation.
 Powerful people are more focused on the goals appropriate in a given situation and tend to plan more task-related
activities in a work setting. Power is associated with optimism about the future because more powerful individuals
focus their attention on more positive aspects of the environment. People with more power tend to carry out
executive cognitive functions more rapidly and successfully, including internal control mechanisms that coordinate
attention, decision-making, planning, and goal-selection.