Power

"In this essay, Bachrach and Baratz are concerned with analyzing political power. The concept of power is a central concept in political science, but its meaning is not always clear. Power is usually understood as a relationship between people, not an individual quality that someone possesses. Since power is defined as a relationship between people, power is by definition a social relation. Part of the reason this article is so influential is because they begin from a previous discussion regarding the nature of power between sociologist C. Wright Mills and Robert Dahl, a leading "pluralist theorist" in political science."

Bachrach and Baratz help us view the concept of "power". Their conclusion of power is defined as being a "relationship between people, not an individual quality that someone possesses". Bachrach and Baratz referred their discussion on the nature of power comparing and contrasting between sociologist C. Wright Mills and Robert Dhal. In 1956 Mills wrote his most famous work was "the power elite". His piece stated that "political power was a close knit group made up made up of government bureaucracy, the military, and corporate elites". In other words Mills defined political power as a dominating force but in a "one dimensional sense". On the other hand, Bachrach and Baratz leaned heavily on Dahl "pluralist theory", because just like Bachrach and Baratz; Robert Dahl believed that power is divided into different groups to reach the greater goal for all. Moreover, "pluralist argued that Mills ignored empirical evidence that shows multiple groups are able to exercise some power over each other, power is defined as influence in the law-making process or decisions made by the government". 

This passage is very interesting to me because growing up I have always believed that power is dictated by one leader. In which they control and call the shots on their own. It seemed like I have been following Wright Mills theory of "power elite". What I have learned reading this article is that Bachrach, Baratz, and Robert Dhal were right about how power is a relationship with people. Many men and women have the courageous attribute to step up and be great leaders. Referring back to some of our great movement leaders such as Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, and even all our presidents have their parties whether it is republicans or democratic. Now on the other hand, there are some leaders that may have bad intentions and use their power to do evil and dominate at will. In conclusion, is true to say that nobody will gain any power without the relationship and their connection to the people and society as a whole.