What is Power?

Power is the control that a country, a person, or an organization has on another country, person, or organization. On a global level power can be a number of things. Politically power is important to the society.

Country Power

For a country, the power of military is important for defense or to end something that could harm the country, or the world.. The leader has the control of the military which can defend the country or attack another country to prevent more threat

Economic power allows countries to influence others by giving aid or economic cooperation, or by building a strong military.

Knowledge, information and technology gives power to a country by building a big industry with modern technology run by computers and fast machines etc. The country can have sophisticated weapons.

Some countries have natural resources such as oil that give them power over other countries.

Person Power

Individuals also have power. Person power comes from one or more of many factors.

Position power comes from a persons rank or title in an organization or country. The examples are like the head of the military, head of state, and director of a big company.

Network power gives a person his power. Network power comes from the influential and powerful people a person knows.

Knowledge and special training gives people power because they have unique information and skills that are needed by many. Such people are like astronauts, scientists, or doctors.

Political power comes through the support of people and nations. Political power is when a person leads a country and has the support of everyone in the country. The people believe that the leader of a country will protect them.

Use and abuse of Power

Power can be used for general good or it can be abused for evil purpose. Power for good purpose includes when a country sends its military to protect another country, or a country provides economic aid and cooperation to another country.

At a personal level, some people have a charismatic personality and power of persuasion to guide people to the right direction. They can make people feel that they are worthy and help people out of hardships. The person can declare war or make peace with another leader to prevent any terror in the world. The people in power are usually well known and acknowledged.

Evil use of power is for example when a powerful country invades and colonizes another country to gain control of its resources. Within a country power can be abused through strong political systems like communism and capitalism.

Abusive use of power by a person is seen when a powerful person becomes greedy for popularity, wealth, and happiness. They use Their power to get what they want or destroy what they hate. The person is usually a cruel person and is only afraid of losing his power.

Example of a Powerful Country

America is a powerful country because of it’s strong economy, a large and strong military, modern technology, knowledge, and information, and its strong political system. All of this allows America to have influence over many countries.

Example of a Powerful Person

Gandhi was so powerful that he made the British leave India. His source of power was his moral authority, his message of non-violence, his charisma, and his large public following and support for his politics.