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As per Follets analysis, “Power-With” is superior to “Power-Over”. Comment.

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Category: Optional,

Test Date: 24 Jul 2024

Model Answer

Approach:

  • Brief about Follet’s idea of Power.
  • Explain both heads and justify the statement.

Follet defines Power as “the ability to make things happen, to be a causal agent, to initiate change”. Power is the capacity to produce intended effects. It is an instinctive urge inherent in all human beings. She makes a distinction between ‘Power-Over’ and ‘Power-With’. The former may tend to be ‘coercive-power’ while the latter is a jointly developed ‘coactive-power’.

Power-With is superior to Power-Over, as it is a self-developing entity which promotes better understanding, reduces friction and conflict and encourages cooperative endeavour. However, Follett does not think it possible to get rid of power-over, but thinks that one should try to reduce it. This can be accomplished by integrating the desires, obeying the law of situation and through functional unity. In a functional unity, each has his/her functions and s/he should have the authority and responsibility which go with that function. Follett also believes that power can never be delegated or handed out or wrenched from someone as it is the result of knowledge and ability. But, she feels, we can create conditions for the development of power.

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