Introduction à la notion de Lieux et Formes de pouvoirs, Anglais

POWER A RIGHT OR AUTHORITY GIVEN OR DELEGATED TO A PERSON OR A BODY.

The notion of power generally implies a basic division between those who have and exercise power and those who have none or little of it. or even undergo it.

As a consequence, the exercise of power within a community requires that its members accept or even internalise a complex system of relations, laws, rules and regulations and respect symbols such as specific institutions (monarchy, parliament, congress)

This helps to create cohesion on the one hand but may reveals quite clearly the tensions and conflicts existing within the group on the other hand. Indeed even when the authorities and traditions seem absolute, there are always counter powers which question limits or excesses and resist or fight against.

For instance African American people thanks to famous figures and artists fought to change the balance of power so that their community could be heard, respected and taken into account in the USA. It has been a long struggle to gain respect and their civil rights.

FORMS OF POWER

Economic power, financial power, social power, judicial power, political power…

Most African-Americans are the descendants of African people who were shipped against their will to America to be sold as slaves. It was a forced migration.

In that new country, as the underdog they faced forms of power that ranged from a master’s authority to the harsh segregation laws.

Today, the American society has changed and all citizens in America are equal before the law. However substantial differences and racism still exist.

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