Power is now a subject of specialized study. A few of the diff interpersonal relations described as `power' are described. The term `power' is taken as the most inclusive, with influence & domination at each end of the scale. While influence implies unintended power, towards the domination pole the intended effects prevail. Other distinctions lie between manifest & latent power, instit'ized & personal. But attributions of power are meaningless, unless there is a specification of the field, such as a zone of acceptance, or identification. The concept of power is not likely to be a fruitful concept in the explication of the `power structures' of actual societies. In this field, a great deal of analysis & discrimination is still necessary. IPSA.
Many philosophers now reject the conception of philosophy & of the resulting connexion between philosophy & pol, on which most of classical pol'al philosophy rests. If the philosophical, sociol'al & ideological impulses of pol'al theory have grown weaker in recent yrs, this ought to mean - at least as far as the ideological impulse is concerned - that questions of pol'al org, of allocation of pol'al rights & powers, etc, are not at present felt to be morally critical. The argument against `ideological pol' has taken a number of lines, one of which is that ideologically-dominated thinking has no relevance to the controlling facts of contemporary soc structure & change. It follows that much recent British & American pol'al theory has been concerned with the devaluation of ideology & ideologies, with showing the importance of `technique' as opposed to ideology, or with showing that 'incrementalism' (Dahl & Lindblom) or `piecemeal engineering' (Popper) are the most rational methods of pol'al change. J. Schumpeter, in his CAPITALISM, SOCIALISM AND DEMOCRACY, & R. A. Dahl, in PREFACE TO DEMOCRATIC THEORY, follow the same anti-ideological trend. Their example shows that it is absurd to say that the energy or the rigor of pol'al theorizing have declined; on the contrary, it has acquired an analytical thoroughness & sharpness, a closeness in argument, that is pretty new. It does show, however, a narrowing of moral interests & expectations, a dismissal of wider notions of equality, freedom, participation, & a tendency to be most interested in the existing machinery of democratic systems, which proceed from a sci'fic & critical approach of the problem. IPSA.
