Politics arises from the fact of scarcity. In the real world it is not possible for all of us to satisfy all of our desires to the fullest extent. Limits on the stock of those things that people desire ensures that conflicts will take place between rival claimants. These

Social scientists like to unpack the concept of power, breaking it down into species distinguished from one another according to reason why the compliant party obeys. Compliance may result from the threat or use of force (coercion); from the ability of A to convince B that a particular action is reasonable or otherwise in B.s best interest (influence); or from recognition on the part of the compliant party that the person or organization issuing a command has the right to do so and should be obeyed (authority). Politics involves all of these faces of power - coercion, influence, and authority - at various times and in different circumstances. Democratic politics relies primarily on the two non-coercive species of power. But coercion is used, and no democracy is without its system of courts, the police, and prisons.

Power is the ability to influence what happens. It is found in all sorts of settings, not simply political ones. When Microsoft uses its dominant market position in computer operating systems to compel PC manufacturers to integrate its Internet browser into their computers, that is power. When the Vatican issues an official proclamation on birth control or the ordination of women, elements within the Roman Catholic Church respond. The Vatican has power within the community of Roman Catholics. And when a peaceful demonstration of citizens outside the headquarters of a corporation, or in front of the legislature, changes the behaviour of the targeted institution, that, too, is power.

Ralfe: Yes, I've noticed them. I wondered why you people decided to have them.

Trudeau: Why? Have they done anything to you? Have they pushed you around or anything? ...[T]here are a lot of bleeding hearts around who just don't like to see people with helmets and guns. All I can say is, go on and bleed, but it is more important to keep law and order in society than to be worried about weak-kneed people....I think the society must take every means at its disposal to defend itself against the emergence of a parallel power which defies the elected power in this country, and I think that goes to any distance.

There is, perhaps, another reason for adopting a more limited definition of politics. Only those power relations that take place in public realm can legitimately be associated with the use of force in its most naked, punitive forms. Compulsion, punishment, and violence do of course take place in all sorts of social settings. It is clear, however, that only the public authorities - the state - have the legitimate right to back up their decisions with the full power of society. All other power relations are more limited than this. The reason for this difference is that the state is the only institution that can reasonably claim to speak and act on behalf of the entire community, and its unique function is to ensure the conditions for some degree of social order. This social order is a necessar

Some common words found in the essay are:
, French English, CB Macpherson, Ralfe I'm, Roman Catholics, Ralfe October, China Iran, Catholic Church, Yes I've, rights freedoms, i'm worried, Act FLQ, political system, political equality citizens, particular social, claims settled, political parties, compliant party, formal political, public realm, rival claims settled, ralfe i'm worried, formal political equality, power coercion,
Approximate Word count = 1963
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)