Three Faces of Power

New in paperback this volume broadly defines power as the ability to get what we want. Kenneth Boulding identifies three major types of power: threat power which is particularly important in political life and is based on the power to destroy; economic power which derives from the power to produce and exchange goods and depends on the changing distribution of property ownership integrative power which rests on relationships such as love legitimacy respect affection community and identity.Boulding argues that threat power should not be seen as fundamental since it is not effective unless reinforced by economic and integrative power. He provides a bold and challenging perspective to the concept of power and lays the groundwork for future debates. This volume will be important reading for students and academics across the social sciences but especially in political science peace studies sociology organizational studies and social psychology.