Two Faces of Power

Definition

The two faces of power refer to the distinction between the visible, overt exercise of power and the hidden, covert shaping of preferences and agendas. This concept provides a nuanced understanding of how power is wielded in political and social contexts.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The two faces of power concept was developed by political scientists Peter Bachrach and Morton Baratz to challenge the traditional, one-dimensional view of power.
2. Overt power is the visible, decision-making power exercised through formal channels and decision-making processes.
3. Covert power involves the shaping of preferences and agendas, preventing certain issues from even reaching the decision-making stage.
4. Agenda-setting is a key aspect of covert power, where powerful actors can influence what issues are considered important and worthy of attention.
5. The two faces of power framework highlights how power can be exercised not only through direct decision-making but also through the ability to control the political agenda and shape what is considered legitimate or important.

Review Questions

• Explain the distinction between overt and covert power, and how each manifests in the political decision-making process.
  • Overt power refers to the visible, explicit use of power by individuals or groups to influence decision-making and outcomes. This can be seen in the formal political processes, such as voting, lobbying, and public debates. In contrast, covert power involves the hidden, implicit shaping of preferences and agendas, preventing certain issues from even reaching the decision-making stage. This can be achieved through agenda-setting, where powerful actors control what issues are considered important and worthy of attention, effectively excluding or marginalizing certain concerns from the political discourse.
• Analyze how the two faces of power framework challenges the traditional, one-dimensional view of power in political science.
  • The two faces of power concept developed by Bachrach and Baratz challenged the traditional, one-dimensional view of power that focused solely on the observable, decision-making power exercised through formal channels. By introducing the idea of covert power, the two faces of power framework highlights how power can also be exercised through the ability to control the political agenda and shape what is considered legitimate or important. This expanded understanding of power recognizes that the absence of conflict or decision-making does not necessarily imply the absence of power, as powerful actors can prevent certain issues from even reaching the decision-making stage.
• Evaluate the significance of the two faces of power in understanding the dynamics of power and decision-making in modern political systems.
  • The two faces of power concept is crucial in understanding the nuanced and complex ways in which power is wielded in political and social contexts. By recognizing both the overt, decision-making power and the covert, agenda-setting power, the framework provides a more comprehensive analysis of how power is exercised and how certain issues and interests are privileged or marginalized. This understanding is particularly important in modern political systems, where powerful actors and institutions can shape public discourse, influence the political agenda, and prevent certain concerns from even reaching the decision-making stage. The two faces of power concept challenges us to look beyond the visible, formal exercise of power and consider the hidden, structural factors that determine what issues are deemed worthy of attention and action.

Related terms

Overt Power: The observable, explicit use of power by individuals or groups to influence decision-making and outcomes.

Covert Power: The implicit, hidden shaping of preferences and agendas to prevent certain issues from even reaching the decision-making process.

Agenda-Setting:

The process by which certain issues are brought to the forefront of public attention and decision-making, while others are marginalized or excluded.