Some reflections on the power to/power over debate. Issue 3 (2nd September 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Battegazzorre, Francesco
• Is Part Of: Journal of political power. Volume 10:Issue 3(2017)
• Page Start: 274
• Page End: 285
• Publication Date: 2017-09-02
• Subjects: Power to -- power over -- social exchange -- domination -- interdependence -- autonomy; Power (Social sciences) -- Periodicals; Power (Philosophy) -- Periodicals; 303.305
• DOI: 10.1080/2158379X.2017.1382169
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2158-379X

Abstract

Abstract: Among the most prominent and interesting issues discussed by students of power is the conceptual divide between power to and power over . The discussion of this topic has been revived in an exchange between Pamela Pansardi and Peter Morriss hosted in the pages of the Journal of Political Power . Pansardi defended a strong position which involved denying the usefulness – if not the logical possibility – of distinguishing between power to and power over . In his reply, Morriss defended the distinction by pointing out a pertinence argument in support of his own favoured way of distinguishing between the two concepts. Unfortunately, the exchange between the two authors was inconclusive. In this paper, I discuss the merits and limits of the two proposals and I put forward an intermediate position which, I hope, adds some clarity to the debate over the two conceptions of power.