Introduction to

Political Sciences
Dr. Ahmed Lotfy
 political system
political system, the set of formal legal institutions that constitute a “government” or a
“state.” This is the definition adopted by many studies of the legal or constitutional
arrangements of advanced political orders. More broadly defined, however, the term
comprehends actual as well as prescribed forms of political behaviour, not only the legal
organization of the state but also the reality of how the state functions. Still more broadly
defined, the political system is seen as a set of “processes of interaction” or as a subsystem
of the social system interacting with other nonpolitical subsystems, such as the economic
system. This points to the importance of informal sociopolitical processes and emphasizes
the study of political development.

Introduction to Political Sciences Dr. Ahmed Lotfy Introduction

 Power
power relationships refer in general to a kind of strategic relationship
between rulers and the ruled: a set of practices by which states seek to
govern the life of their citizens, managers seek to control the labour of
their workers, parents seek to guide and raise their children, dog
owners seek to train their dogs, doctors seek to manage the health of
their patients, chess players seek to control the moves of their
opponents, individuals seek to keep their own lives in order, etc.

Introduction to Political Sciences Dr. Ahmed Lotfy Introduction

 Power
When the question is about influencing or manipulating others, two
things go that side by side in the field of management are Power and
Authority. These two are used to make people respond in the manner
directed. Power is referred to as the capacity of an individual to
influence the will or conduct of others. As against, authority is
termed as the right possessed by a person to give the command to
others.
Introduction to Political Sciences Dr. Ahmed Lotfy Introduction
 Power
By the term power, we mean the personal capacity of an individual to
influence others to do or not to do an act. It is independent and
informal in nature derived from charisma and status. It is an
acquired ability that comes from knowledge and expertise. It is the
right to control other’s actions, decisions and performances.

Introduction to Political Sciences Dr. Ahmed Lotfy Introduction

 Power
Power is not hierarchical, i.e. it can flow in any direction like it can
flow from superior to subordinate (downward) or junior to senior
(upward), or between the persons working at the same level, but
different departments of the same organization (horizontal), or
between the persons working at different levels and departments of the
same organization (diagonal). In this way, it is not confined to any
boundaries. Moreover, the element of politics is usually attached to it.

Introduction to Political Sciences Dr. Ahmed Lotfy Introduction

 Authority
Authority is legal and formal right to a person, who can take
decisions, give orders and commands to others to perform a
particular task. It is conferred to high officials, to accomplish
organisation’s objectives. It is hierarchical in nature, it flows
downward, i.e. delegated from superior to the subordinate.

Introduction to Political Sciences Dr. Ahmed Lotfy Introduction

 Authority
In general, authority is exercised to get things done through others. It
is attached to the position, i.e. any person who gets the position
enjoys the authority attached to it, the higher the position, the higher
would be his authority. As the authority lies in the designation, in the
absence of authority, the position offered to the person would be of
no use. Moreover, it is restricted to the organisation only.

Introduction to Political Sciences Dr. Ahmed Lotfy Introduction

 Power
BASIS FOR
POWER AUTHORITY
COMPARISON
Meaning Power means the ability or The legal and formal right to
potential of an individual give orders and commands, and
to influence others and take decisions is known as an
control their actions. Authority.
What is it? It is a personal trait. It is a formal right, given to the
high officials.
Source Knowledge and expertise. Position & office

Hierarchy Power does not follow any Authority follows the hierarchy.
hierarchy.
Resides with Person Designation
Legitimate No Yes

Introduction to Political Sciences Dr. Ahmed Lotfy Introduction

Thank You