Peacebuilding &conflict transformation A ... - Peaceworkafrica

Sources of powerThere are various sources of power such as money, relationships, tradition, information,authority, legitimacy, experience, competence, structures, charisma or systems.Some examples and categories of power sources include:Positional power is based upon position or roles occupied in society. It can bepassed from one individual to another in areas where a person moves in andout of the position, e.g.: minister, moderator, bishop, head of a department orteacher. Members of a social class may give one person power over others byputting them in a special position. Another level is, for example, the positionof men in many societies, regarded as head of the household and thereforehaving power over women and children. Positional power is backed by therules and norms of the particular society. Important to note that the power onehas is by virtue of the position and not due to personal characteristics.Relational power is the power that people give to each other in their relationship.This power is difficult to measure; it is like the fluid in an interacting relationship.If you listen to another person and respect their opinion, you give thempower. One can expand or limit this power by the way one interacts.Power of force refers to the physical strength and or pressuring mechanisms onemight use to impose their will upon others. People might use their physicalstrength or add weapons like guns, knives or other armaments. Armies, policeor structures such as prisons also belong to this category.Power of status is based on social standing or wealth within a society. People mightuse their relationships, family ties, resources or money to maintain a situation,gain advantage or use their influence to get what they want. For example kingsand queens, chiefs and fons have the possibility of using their power because oftheir royal family ties.Power of groups refers to people acting together in unity. It refers to individuals aspart of a group executing collective power by joining together for special concerns,for example in mass protest movements, networks or labour unions.Power of knowledge/expertise describes the kind of power that gives credit andinfluence to those people in society with special knowledge, skills, informationor wisdom for special services. Power here refers to what one knows and is ableto do, e.g. lawyer, teacher, doctor, technician, engineer or mediator. Withoutthese individuals, organizations or even nations fail as they depend on theservices provided.110 I I I . C O N F L I C T