Power

From Geography

Power, in relation to the structuration theory (Lippuner & Werlen, 2009), is closely linked to the concept of resources. Within the structuration theory, the term resource does not refer directly to something material, like natural resources or raw materials. Resources rather refer to power over people and materials: it is more the capability to steer resources, not the actual physical 'having of' resources. It is therefore more a subjective power then a objective power.

He defines Power as 'a capability of transformation' (Lippuner & Werlen, 2009). One who has more power has the capability to change the structures of social praxis. Power plays an important part in social encounters: power is implicit in all interactions and social relations.

Power in the classical meaning

Power in the classical sense is usually meant as a person or organisation that has influence over a large group of people. In the past the church had most of the power, but nowadays it is mostly the state.

Power according to Foucault

Foucault refers to 'power' in the relational sense. By which he means that you can influence the other person in the relationship. He refers to three types of relationships, who also overlap each other, support one another and are used mutually (Foucault, 1983).

• Systems of communication
• Power relations
• Finalised activities

Power can only be used/acknowledged when it limits freedom or the other person(s) in the relationship has a (limited) freedom.

Transformative capacities

Giddens (Lippuner & Werlen, 2009) distinguishes two types of transformative capacities: of authorization and allocation.

Authorizative resources refer to the capacity of controlling the humanly created social world: controlling the actors themselves (the power to organize social time-space paths of human individuals).

Allocative resources refer to the capability of controlling the natural basis of human life: steering the appropriation and use of material objects. Therefore, allocation resources involve a transformative capacity generating command over material phenomena.

References

• Lippuner, R. & Werlen, B. (2009). Structuration theory. In: Internation encyclopedia for human geography. Elsevier.
• Foucault, M. (1983). Beyond structuralism and hermeneutics, p. 208-266.

Contributors

• page created by Lars-Olof Haverkort --LarsHaverkort 16:41, 16 September 2012 (CEST)
• page enhanced by --DennisPrince 10:57, 26 September 2012 (CEST)