Power is not just “who wins.” It is also who sets the agenda, who shapes common sense, and who gets obeyed without force.

1. Concept Map on Power

Key Debate Thinkers Critiques Application
Where is power located? (agents / collectives / structures) Robert Dahl, Hannah Arendt, Talcott Parsons Too narrow / ignores ideology & structures democracy, governance, policy
How deep does power run? Steven Lukes Explains consent & invisible control media, nationalism, policy
Who rules? Pareto, Mosca, Michels, Mills vs Dahl Elites persist vs polyarchy debate Indian democracy
Consent beyond coercion Antonio Gramsci Ideology + civil society stabilize power culture, education, media
Legitimacy → authority Max Weber Context-based legitimacy state, compliance
Power/knowledge Michel Foucault Power is networked & productive surveillance, institutions

2. Core Concepts

Concept Meaning Scholar Keyword
Power Capacity to shape outcomes Nivedita Menon capacity
Power over Control over others Robert Dahl domination
Power to Collective action capacity Hannah Arendt agency
Hegemony Dominance through consent Gramsci consent
Authority Legitimate power Max Weber legitimacy
Power/knowledge Knowledge produces power Foucault truth systems

3. Scholars & Positions

Scholar Position Key Insight
Nivedita Menon Power as capacity Productive, not just oppressive
Hannah Arendt Power = collective action Different from violence
Talcott Parsons Power circulates like money System resource
Michels Iron law of oligarchy Organizations → elites
Foucault Power is everywhere Linked with knowledge
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