lu 2

• Power


  The ability to make somebody to do something he/she does not want to do
• Authority


  Somebody is given the "legal right" to exercise power
• Legitimacy


  The "legal right" is unchallenged & accepted within the boundary of the law/traditional precepts of a community/society
• Power affects how resources are distributed, how countries interact, how groups/individuals pursue their interests
• R.H. Tawney: 'Power is "the capacity of an individual/group of individuals to modify the conduct of other individuals/groups in the manner in which the power holder desires"'
• Bertrand Russell: 'Power is "the production of intended effects"'
• Power

  • The ability of a person to make someone else do (or think) something that he or she would not do
  • Is "transitive in nature" -- exercised by the subject to the object in relations
  • Seen both ways from the subject and object perspectives
  • Situational i.e. once not in the position of authority, one may lose the ability to do what he/she wants the others to do
• Sources and Types of Power

  • Force: Coercive power
  • Wealth: Reward power
  • Expertise: Expert power
  • Position: Legitimate power
  • Popular support: referent power
• Force: coercive power

  Non-compliance results in punishment
• Force: coercive power


  • Government in power can use force (including physical) if laws are broken i.e. BERSIH demonstration in Malaysia, anti-government rallies in Thailand
• Wealth: reward power


  Manipulation of resources<|>"patron-clientelism" – patron is the giver while client is the benefactor – client gives support to the giver in return for his protection
• Wealth: reward power

  • "money politics" and the endowment of grants during elections, businessmen "donating" money to politicians in return for gov. funds/support
• Expertise: expert power


  "knowledge is power"<|>Superior information about something i.e. specialist doctor<|>Some are shaping important decisions i.e. doctors, policy makers, politicians, professors, think-tankers
• Position: legitimate power


  A person is recognised as the rightful leader i.e. by the law in an election, direct appointment, etc
• Position: legitimate power


  • Your member of parliament's election into parliament
  • Muhyiddin Yassin's appointment as prime minister
• Popular support: referent power

  Personality or charisma of a person<|>People admire, respect, and like
• Popular support: referent power

  • Opinion poll – 75% of Sabahan respondents said Najib is leading the country into the right direction (Merdeka Centre)
  • Adenan's soaring popularity as CM of Swk (80%-90% esp among Swk's indigenous population)
• Why do some people hold political power over others?

  • Biological
  • Psychological
  • Cultural
  • Rational
  • Irrational
• Authority


  The legitimate exercise of power
• The Malaysian constitution gives legitimate authority to Muhyiddin to function as PM
• Conditions for the exercise of authority


  Based on the general agreement that:<|>- a person of group has the "right" (legal/constitutional) to issue certain sorts of commands<|>- those commands should be obeyed
• Max Weber's Theory of Authority

  • Charismatic Authority
  • Traditional Authority
  • Rational/legal Authority
• Traditional authority


  Based on ancient traditions, customs or conventions<|>We are being taught to respect the authority<|>Divine right of the kings
• Traditional authority


  • Our respect for tuai rumah, ketua kampung, penghulu, etc.
• Charismatic authority

  Extraordinary talents of a leader<|>This type of leader usually emerges during political and social crisis<|>His authority will remain as long as his followers' loyalty stay intact
• Charismatic authority


  • Anwar Ibrahim, Martin Luther King Jr., and JFK, Mahathir
• Legal-rational authority


  A belief in the legality of patterns of normative rules and the right of people elevated to power under such rules to issue commands<|>Through legislation of certain policies<|>Policies are regarded as official and need to be obeyed<|>Everything has to go through proper channels or processes
• Legal-rational authority


  • Bureaucracy in public offices, government officials giving directives
• Legitimacy


  Governments must ensure that they secure their citizens' respect and obedience<|>Government must establish its right to rule<|>Governments with legitimacy problems can be easily overthrown
• Is the government led by Muhyiddin – known by some as the "backdoor" government – a legitimate one?
• Sources of legitimacy

  • By results
  • By habit
  • By historical, religious or ethnic identity
  • By procedures
• Sources of legitimacy: By results

  • Economic security, a sense of nationhood, security from foreign invasion = legitimacy of the government
  • Bread-and-butter issues
• Sources of legitimacy: By results

  • Adolf Hitler in Germany: Reduced unemployment rates in Germany, transformed Germany into a great power by outmaneuvering England & France, introduced Volkswagen (the people's car)
• Sources of legitimacy: By habit

  • A government in power for too long
  • People develop a habit to obeying it and recognising its existence
• Sources of legitimacy: By historical, religious or ethnic identity

  • Past achievements of leaders
  • Religious & ethnic ties with the people
• Sources of legitimacy: By procedures


  • People participate in decision-making process, i.e. referendum, public consultation – Sabah's inclusion into the federation of Malaysia
  • Difficult to question those who have been elected through proper procedure