INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENT TASK

Individual Assignment Task

Individual Assignment Task

Question 1

Introduction and Meaning of Power

People can perceive power as either legitimate or illegitimate as having power refers to the ability to influence results and attain goals, outside the realm of direct control and the results do not have to occur through one's own efforts (DuBrin, 2012, pp. 58). This is because other people are working in the supervision of the person holding power to achieve goals. In a simple context, power would refer to having the ability to get different things done. There are many ways in which power has been explained in the social, psychological and philosophical contexts and the nature of power can be defined in a way that it is able to gravitate to the one who desires it and is also willing to do whatever it takes to achieve power. There are many forms of power as it can be won over, given or usurped. Having power allows one to have the capability to influence the world around him or her (Henslin, 2007, pp. 92).

Legitimacy of Power

Being legitimate or having legitimacy refers to doing things according to the rules and regulations and following the law. The law in this context refers to a code of conduct that is and decided and accepted by unanimous authority or majority (Daft, 2008, pp. 42).

Power, Legitimacy, Authority and Leadership in the Context of Sociology and Philosophy

According to Max Weber, status groups, classes and parties are associated with power and the attempt to achieve one's will, even when he or she is faced with opposition. Weber argued that status and honour are a more important source of initiating social actions compared to class or market relations. There are many ways through which status groups can initiate social reforms and actions at the workplace (Ritzer, 2007, pp. 69). This is mainly because status becomes the way through which the group which has privileges is able to maintain its position. This causes the particular status group in the business to be closed and provide privileges only to the people who are in the group, and deny them to those who are outside the group. This means that these people are able to exercise their influence over others and manipulate people to a certain extent (Ritzer, 2007, pp. 118).

Status groups in the businesses are able to lead to development parties for the purpose of attaining the specific interests of the group. Apart from that, the status group become the way through which authority or power is exercised, such as in organizations and professional status groups. Moreover, social honour is accorded to those who behave in a similar style which is considered desirable by the people of the status group. This means that the groups is able to further its ends and expand (Ritzer, 2007, pp. 215). Social approval is of pertinent importance while considering the achievement of ends of the group whereas social disapproval is used a way of disciplining the people who are ...