Unpacking Power: The Evolving Concepts of Power-over, Power-to, and Power-with

Photo by Guille Álvarez on Unsplash

The article "The New Concepts of Power? Power-over, Power-to, and Power-with" by Pamela Pansardi and Marianna Bindi provides a comprehensive review of the evolving interpretations of power within political and social theory. The authors outline the distinctions among three key types of power:

1. Power-over: Defined as an asymmetrical relationship, often associated with domination and coercion. It involves one actor or group exerting control or influence over another.

2. Power-to: Refers to the individual or collective capacity to achieve specific outcomes or goals. It is frequently tied to notions of empowerment and agency.

3. 
   Power-with: Emphasizes collaborative and collective action aimed at shared goals, reflecting solidarity and joint agency.

The article traces the historical and theoretical roots of these concepts, referencing foundational contributions from thinkers like Mary Parker Follett, Hannah Arendt, and Hanna Pitkin. It highlights the application of these power dynamics across various disciplines, including feminist theory, development studies, and environmental politics.

The authors note ongoing debates about the normative implications of these forms of power. While some scholars frame power-over as inherently negative (domination), others argue that it can be neutral or even beneficial when it enables power-to or collective agency (power-with). Similarly, power-to and power-with are often associated with positive values like emancipation and collaboration, though their specific definitions vary across contexts.

The article concludes by emphasizing that these concepts have crystallized into distinct frameworks for understanding power, reflecting broader shifts in scholarly discourse. Despite their growing institutionalization, debates about their interrelations and normative significance persist, underscoring the complexity of power dynamics in theory and practice.