1. “Tapping the Roots of Power”
Power and Authority
“Tapping the Roots of Power”
Gene Sharp, Ch. 2

2. What is Power? General Perception Ability to do/act
Political or national strength
Control over others
Military Force
Political control of government
Legal authority
Synonyms
Capacity
Energy
Strength
Antonyms
Incapacity
Weakness

3. Power Derived from Violence
Dominant group so powerful it can ignore the good of those it dominates to achieve goals
Tyranny, Dictatorship, Oppression, Indoctrination, Genocide
Self-perception of population: weak, powerless, vulnerable, dominated, victims
Problems exist because one group has the power to impose its will on a weaker group that can’t imagine possessing sufficient power to improve their lives

4. Who Benefits?
Pervasive belief that “real” power come from the barrel of a gun, then whoever has the most and biggest guns will find it much easier to maintain control
Such populations generally submit
When resistance does occur, such populations assume violent overthrow is necessary
Violent rebellion, assassination, terrorism, guerrilla warfare

5. Odds of Success Unlikely
General population MORE likely to suffer massive casualties
Violent overthrow retains power structure, leading to new, often worse, oppression
Real “success” SHOULD result in the previously dominated people gaining greater freedom and control over their own lives

6. Monolithic Theory of Power
Political and Economic Elite
Masses of Ordinary Citizens
Freedom is “given” by the Elite to the Masses
Boundaries are set and violations punished by the Elite

7. Misperceptions of Power
Top- Down distribution of Power does Exist, BUT it is NOT:
Inherent (a given)
Permanent (Fixed and Unchanging)
Monolithic (massive, solid, uniform)
So what is power if it isn’t about power over?

8. “Power Over”
Power and Authority of the “Ruling Elite”depends upon the willful cooperation and obedience of the masses
The PEOPLE always choose their government
Intimidated choice (imposed)
Affirmative choice (ascribed)

9. Important Insight
Power relationships are not fixed and unchangeable, deriving from
Varying degrees of power wielded by respective groups in the society
Degree to which groups have mobilized power potential into effective power
Degree to which social, economic, and political institutions are flexible and responsive to the will of various sections of the population

10. Social Theory of Power Ruling Elite Authority/ Legitimacy Human
Resources
Skills &
Knowledge
Intangible
Factors
Material
Resources
Sanctions

11. Core Insight
Power must be constantly regenerated via the continued cooperation of its sources
If sources “turn off” (noncooperation), power is lost
People do not always do what they are told
Sometimes people do things that are forbidden

12. Sources of Power Legitimacy Human Resources Skills and Knowledge
Cultural, Religious, or Ideological Factors
Material Resources
Sanctions

13. Legitimacy Ascribed, based on perception and acceptance of superiority
Automatic (titles, jobs)
Increased via actual or perceived responsiveness, charisma, education level, class status, etc)

14. Human Resources
The number of people who obey, cooperate, provide special assistance
The proportion of such people in the general population
The extent and forms of their organizations

15. Skills and Knowledge
What skills, knowledge, and capabilities by members of the leader’s organizations directly apply to his/her goals and needs?

16. Cultural, Religious, or Ideological Factors
Indoctrination
Psychological and ideological factors, such as habits and attitudes toward obedience/ submission and the presence/absence of a common faith, ideology, sense of mission, or identity contribute to the leader’s power

17. Intangible Factors
Appealing to cultural, nationalist, religious, economic, and/or group identity
Embedded cultural patterns/ dynamics such as patriarchy, respect for elders, belief that leader is a representative of god, shared symbols (ie. flag), consumer loyalty, social hierarchies

18. Material Resources
To what extent does the leader control property, natural and financial resources, economic, communications, transportation and other cultural systems?
Provide access to raw materials, transportation, money, food, health care, shelter, infrastructure

19. Sanctions In what ways can and does the leader enforce obedience?
What are the types and extent of sanctions, punishments and rewards the leader may use to reinforce his/her power/authority?

20. Why People Obey Habit Fear of Sanctions Moral Obligation Self-Interest
Identification with the leader
Indifference
Absence of self-confidence

21. Command and Obedience
Mutually influential interaction between ruler/ruled
All rulers use obedience and cooperation of some to rule the whole
Those most likely to cooperate and obey generally do so out of moral obligation, self-interest, and identification with the ruler
The masses obey out of habit

22. Command and Obedience The reasons people obey is always variable
Obedience is also variable (not fixed, uniform, automatic of universal)
There are always boundaries within which rulers must stay to remain effective
When those boundaries are transgressed, people become more willing to withdraw obedience and consent

23. Prerequisite The will and attitude of the oppressed must shift:
Away from passive submission to self-respect and courage
Away from feeling controlled to awareness that they make the existing regime possible
Away from passivity/apathy to a determination to withdraw consent

24. Power is Vulnerable
As the relative desire of the populace to take control increases
As the relative strength of independent organizations and institutions increases
As the relative ability of the people to withhold consent/cooperation through concrete actions increases

25. Change Occurs When:
Sources of power of dominant groups are restricted or severed
Sources of power of weaker groups are mobilized or strengthened
or Both of the above
Effective nonviolence requires an accurate understanding of the power dynamics