Question

Which power bases lie within the individual? Which are derived from the organization? How are power and politics related?

Answer 1

Personal powers such as expert power, reference power, rational persuasion and coalition power are the powers that are the power bases that lie within the individual. Organizational powers include reward power, information power, process power, information power, coercive power and representative power.

Power and politics are related to each other through people. Organizations always seek leaders and individuals who have skills and the ability to influence others. The people with same qualities make up our government as well, leaders who have the power and influence to persuade the masses. Organizations provide a power base for individuals or memebers of the company. From a purely economic standpoint, organizations strive to develop a surplus of income over costs by meeting needs in the marketplace. But at the same time, organizations also are political structures providing opportunities to individuals to help them develop careers and therefore provide platforms for the expression of individual motives and interests. The development of careers, particularly at professional levels and high managerial, depends on accumulation of power as the vehicle for transforming individual interests into activities which influence other individuals as well.