Dimension of Power: Lukes' Three Dimensions and Theories of Power Distribution

Running head: DIMENSION OF POWER
DIMENSION OF POWER
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1DIMENSION OF POWER
Power is the ability to influence people’s behaviour. Often government and politics
considering their impacts on individuals and more extensive social system are considered
powerful (Fiske, 2018).
a) Luke’s three dimensions of power
The British political and social theorist Steven Michael Lukes described three faces of
power which are also called three dimensions of power in his book Power: A Radical View. The
power and consequent efficiency of a group are based on three diverse aspects:
 The issue method: The first face is the open face. Therefore, when decisions are made,
individuals understand the reason for the decisions made. The procedure can be
scrutinised if wished at its every stage. In the first face, the exercise of power is
legitimised.
 Setting the agenda: The second dimension is the secretive face. On the second dimension,
power is exercised behind the closed doors. People with the political power set the
political agendas that determine factors to be discussed openly as well as factors that
would not be addressed in the open. In this dimension, power is not only to make
decisions but also to prevent the decisions that are made as well as reducing the choices
that are considered.
 Manipulating the view of other: The third dimension is manipulation. The people with
power persuade others to convince them they are right and manipulate them to do
something which might not be what they want (Hathaway, 2016).
b) The two theories used to explain the way power is distributed between individuals and groups
in society. The two theories are different than one another.