The four dimensions of power: conflict and democracy

ABSTRACT

This article theorizes the four dimensions of power, which builds upon the work of Dahl, Lukes, Foucault, Bourdieu, and Giddens, among others. The four dimensions correspond to four aspects of social interaction. The first dimension refers to the agency-energy aspect of interaction. The second concerns the structural components. The third concerns the epistemic element of interaction. The fourth relates to the social ontological elements of social subjects. The theory has implications for both normative and empirical research. Normatively the theory provides a pragmatist power-oriented way of building democratic theory. Empirically the theory provides a power-oriented conceptual map of everyday interaction.

KEYWORDS:

• Power
• social structure
• agency
• authority
• democracy

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No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

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Notes on contributors

Mark Haugaard

Mark Haugaard is Professor of Political Science and Sociology at the National University of Ireland Galway, Ireland. He is the founder editor of the Journal of Political Power, published by Routledge, and the book series, Social and Political Power, with Manchester University Press. He has published extensively upon power, and his most recent publication is The Four Dimensions of Power: understanding domination, empowerment and democracy, 2020, Manchester University Press.