Reflections on the 3 Dimensions of Power

Power: A Radical View. The word radical may have been appropriate in describing Lukes’ view in 1974 but in modern society I believe Lukes' view, although at times restrictive in defining a clear structure of power, can be considered accurate. Lukes identifies that power is exercised by the powerful, shaping influencing and determining the wants of the complier. I believe this relates to the Marxist theory of false consciousness in that as our wants are pre determined for us we are unable to see things as they really are.

Lorenzi also determines that ‘Lukes introduces and stresses the importance of Latent conflict’ (Lorenzi, 2006, p92) which is conflict that essentially exists but is not necessarily expressed.

And that

 “The three dimensional view allows us to consider the many ways in which potential issues are ‘kept out’ of politics, whether through individuals’ decisions or through the operation of social forces and institutional practices.” (Lorenzi, 2006, p92)

It can be considered difficult to illustrate these key concepts in terms of empirical evidence, however, I have found that simplifying Lukes’ third dimensional view into their separate dimensions; force, issue control and thought control, allows us to understand his ideas more clearly.

Firstly, the dimension of force generally refers to military power. In recent years military power has been used as a method of force in allowing actions to be determined as necessary. Secondly Lukes refers to ‘issue control’. In modern society the mainstream media plays an imperative role in creating bias for a particular ideology, therefore the way in which information, and what particular information is told is controlled by the powerful resulting in the shaping of peoples views. Finally, when Lukes discusses the idea of thought control I believe application of this can be seen with the use of propaganda and advertising. It can be said, that as a capitalist society, we are heavily influenced by advertising of various sorts. I believe in this way power is exerted by the use of thought control. Lorenzi describes that potential issues are deliberately kept out of politics; I believe this to be true and demonstrates how Lukes' third dimensional view of power resonates in modern day politics.