Philippine Politics

and Governance
“Nearly all men can stand adversity,
but if you want to test a man's
character, give him power.”
– Abraham Lincoln

Module 4
Most Essential Learning Competency:
Analyze the nature, dimensions/types, and consequences of power

1
 HOW TO USE THIS MODULE

Before starting the module, I want you to set aside other tasks that will disturb you while enjoying the
lessons. Read the simple instructions below to successfully enjoy the objectives of this kit. Have fun!

1. Follow carefully all the contents and instructions indicated in every page of this module.
2. Write on your notebook the concepts about the lessons. Writing enhances learning that is
important to develop and keep in mind.
3. Perform all the provided activities in the module.
4. Let your facilitator/guardian assess your answers.
5. Analyze conceptually the posttest and apply what you have learned.
6. Enjoy studying!

PARTS OF THE MODULE

• Expectations - These are what you will be able to know after completing the lessons in the
module.
• Pre-test - This will measure your prior knowledge and the concepts to be mastered
throughout the lesson.
• Looking Back to your Lesson - This section will measure what learnings and skills did you
understand from the previous lesson.
• Brief Introduction - This section will give you an overview of the lesson.
• Discussion - This section provides a short discussion of the lesson. This aims to help you
discover and understand new concepts and skills.
• Activities - These are activities designed to develop critical thinking and other competencies.
This can be done with or without a partner depending on the nature of the activity.
• Remember - This section summarizes the concepts and applications of the lessons.
• Check your understanding - It will verify how much you learned from the lesson.
• Post-test - This will measure how much you have learned from the entire module.

2
 EXPECTATIONS

You will analyze the nature, dimensions/types, and consequences of power.

Specifically, this module will help you to
• understand the nature of power;
• explain the sources and types of powers; and
• write a poem that shows understanding of how power works and can be observe in
one’s life.

PRETEST Let us start your journey in learning more about power by answering a
short pretest. I know you are eager to learn something new and
interesting!

Directions: Choose the letter of the best answer and write it on a separate sheet of paper.

1. It refers to the ability to influence the behavior of others with or without resistance.
a. Authority c. Influence
b. Force d. Power

2. Authority is commonly defined as the .

a. actual or threatened use of coercion of one’s will on others
b. ability to influence the behavior of others with or without resistance
c. power that has been institutionalized and is recognized by the people over whom it is
exercised
d. exercise of power through the process of persuasion, is the ability to affect decisions and
action of others

3. Mayor XYZ threatened to arrest or kill those who will try to cause havoc or raise against his
municipality. With the approval of the President, he consolidated the police force and the military
to make a plan of action based on his directives. What is Mayor XYZ exercising?
a. Authority c. Influence
b. Force d. Power

4. Kakashi is a teacher at Konoha Elementary School. He is a fan of K-pop music. He always relates his
lesson to his favorite group, Akatsuki, and uses Korea in giving examples. Even his fashion is in line
with the new trends in K-pop. What is teacher Kakashi exercising in this process?
a. Authority c. Influence
b. Force d. Power

3
5. In a situation where a pandemic arises just like the Covid-19, which among the following powers
are most vital in coping up with the said crisis?
a. Economic, Political and Military c. Military, Social and Knowledge
b. Knowledge, Economic and Political d. Social, Ideological, and Military

LOOKING BACK TO YOUR LESSON

Great, you finished answering the questions. You may request your facilitator to
check your work. Congratulations and keep on learning!

To test your understanding of the past lesson, you should be ready to accomplish this short activity.

REMEMBER ME
Directions: On a separate piece of paper, answer the following tasks.
1. Briefly define each ideology below, as discussed in the previous lesson. Do not exceed
two (2) sentences in each definition.
a. Democracy
b. Socialism
c. Fascism
d. Communism

2. Explain which of the given ideologies in number 1 would be most suitable for the
Philippines based on your own opinion.

BRIEF INTRODUCTION
Power is one of the most important aspects that defines a society and affects the people who are part
of it. It is the moving factor which helps establish kingdoms and also lead empires to their ultimate end.
History has been written and rewritten due to the rise and fall of men in their search of glory and
power.

However, man’s understanding of power had been clouded at its best. Men had known to wield the
sword (power) but do not really understand its intricacies, origin and needs. Thus, men had formed
different ideas and opinions pertaining to their own perception of what power is.

In this lesson, you will learn what power is: its very nature, its types and sources, and the consequences
of acquiring it. Your understanding of power will help you to

4
have a better grasp of the political events that are unfolding in front of you in these tumultuous days.
The actions of the government and the social issues surrounding can be better understood by way of
using your understanding of power as lenses to gain social awareness.

DISCUSSIONS
Lesson
Understanding Power,
4 Authority, and Force
The Nature of Power
For centuries, philosophers, politicians and social scientists have been exploring and debating the
nature of power. For Socrates’s contemporaries, power is viewed as the ability to rule over others and
to satisfy one’s own desire. In this way, power is seen as a tool to control others for the sole purpose
of satisfying an individual’s desire.
However, arguing against this rampant belief during his time, pertaining to the nature of power,
Socrates argued that true power comes with the control and order of one’s body and soul. To put it
into simpler words, power is equated to one’s ability to discipline himself: to act in a just way, to live
virtuously, and not need anything.
On the other hand, Michel Foucault (1969) defines power as a “relationship that is present in all
aspects of society. From governments to organizations to friendship and family, power is deeply
embedded in society.
For Max Weber (1947), power refers to the probability that one actor within the social relationship will
be in a position to carry out his own will in a communal action even against the resistance of others
who are participating in the action. In this way, Weber believes that power is a chance of a man or men
to realize their own will even against the resistance of others.
Alvin Genldner (1970) states that one of the main characteristics of power is its ability to enforce the
moral claim of the one who yields it. Hence, powerful people influence or dictate moral trends to suit
their moral defaults.
According to Anthony Giddens (1997), power is the ability to make a difference, or as he puts it,
“transformative” capacity. It is then safe to say, based on Giddens idea, that those who yield power is
exercising it if it is acting in a way that is contrary to the interest of another.
Political scientists, on their own field, usually define power as the ability to influence the behavior of
others with or without resistance. While the standard theory provides that it is the capacity for
influence and that influence is based on the control of resources valued or desired by others.
To sum it up, it can be said that power is the ability of group or individuals to assert themselves, most
probably, in opposition to the desire of others.

5
Power, Authority, and Force
Power is often used synonymously with authority and force. However, in the field of political science
and sociology, these concepts are distinct, though closely related, from each other.
Power as earlier discussed refers to the ability to influence the behavior of others with or without
resistance. It can then be argued that those who yield power can influence the decisions that will be
made in a society, which can affect the lives of those who live in it. They can also set trends that can
affect the way of life in a given society. However, in order for this to happen, those who yield it must act
first to make such effects and differences, hence, the term authority, is often used for power perceived
as legitimate by the social structure.
In order for an action to be acceptable by the majority of the members of a society, the changes that
would be introduced must be perceived to have originated from a valid or authorized source, then
comes the term authority. Authority having established based on the perceived legitimacy will make
the action acceptable, at the very least to most of the people. The absence of legitimacy will make any
act deemed as illegal and will be subject to various opposition that might cause unrest. Simply put,
power is decision-making, and authority is the right to make decisions, that is, legitimate power.
On the other hand, power may also be the exercise of force. Force is the actual or threatened use of
coercion to impose one’s will on others. If authority is primarily based upon the perception of
legitimacy, force, as an exercise of power, may be based upon such legitimate acts or not. For instance,
a traffic enforcer may impose penalties upon traffic violators, which is based on law, in order to
establish order. However, when an officer of the law enters a house of another, without valid order
from the court, using his authority in doing so, such officer is using force in an illegitimate way.

Types of Power
Max Weber (1958) believed that there are three (3) independent and equally important types of
power, namely, economic, social, and political powers.
Economic Power, according to Weber, is the basis of all power, including political power. Economic
power refers to the ability to control events by virtue of material advantage. It is based upon the
relationship of the modes of production and conditions in the labor market, distribution of resources,
social hegemony based on wealth and the likes.
Philippine history is not lacking in abundance of this classical struggle of hegemony between the elites
and the masses. For instance, Bonifacio raised arms against the Spaniards hoping to finally own the
lands that they till after gaining independence. It is due to the fact that the establishment of the
Philippines as Spain’s colony was strengthened by the elite’s connivance with them to rule over the
masses. Hence, the acquisition of economic power had always been synonymous with political power
in the Philippines.

6
Figure 1. World's Leading Economic Power according to Pew Research Center as cited by Statista. (Accessed from
[Link] , August 3, 2020)

Social Power, is based upon community opinion, family position, honor, prestige and patterns of
consumption and lifestyle. The significance of social power is highly recognized by many sociologists
to the point that Weber himself believes that it often takes priority over economic interest.
In his book Philippine History, Prof. Agoncillo identified some of the characteristics of the Filipinos,
being sensitive among them. Hence, Filipinos take into heart other people’s opinion against them.
They will take any criticism, though even a constructive one, as an affront against their honor and may
affect their prestige. For Filipinos, their honor, prestige, and family position are vital in maintaining
their status with the society.
Political Power, concerns with the activities of the states which are not confined to national
boundaries. It stretches across countries and around the globe. Though it commonly deals with the
institutionalized bureaucracies, political power also deals with relationships of the legal structure and
party affiliation.

7
Political power was manifested through the Philippines act of filing a case against China for its claim
of parts of the West Philippine Sea in the International Arbitral Tribunal. This is a landmark case that
debunks China’s 9-dash line and upholds Philippines claim through legal process. This act of the
Philippines had shown enormous political power since going against a military, economic and political
giant like China is no ordinary task.
However, aside from Weber’s types of power, there are a few other types which falls under
knowledge, military and ideological.
Knowledge Power, according to Foucault (1969), is the intimate connection between power and
knowledge which produces one another. He believes that knowledge can be used to control people,
which is the very nature of power.
In this new age dominated by technology, the most important commodity is information, and
information is knowledge. In order to invest in the up and coming trends in the business world, people
need information. To know what government projects will be built in what area, people need
information. And this “information” leads to the acquisition of more power, hence, knowledge is
power.

Figure 2. Military Strength Ranking 2020. Global Firepower ranking presented utilizes over 50 individual factors to determine
a given nation's PowerIndex ('PwrIndx') score with categories ranging from military might and financials to logistical capability
and geography. (Accessed from [Link] , August 3, 2020).

Military Power involves the use of physical coercion. Though according to Weber, few groups in a
society base their power purely on force or military power, it cannot be denied that warfare has always
played a major role in politics. It is commonly seen as one of the most significant institution in any
nation.
When political institutions are in chaos, and the collapse of the government, which can lead to anarchy
is inevitable, the most stable institution of many nations that usually then takes the lead is the military.
Take for instance the case of Thailand, when due to the political instability, the military took the
government and ruled in the form of a junta to save the nation from further chaos.
Ideological Power, refers to power over ideas and beliefs, such as communism, fascism, and the likes.
Usually, these types of ideologies are contrary to the pre-

8
existing and dominant institutions of a country, and commonly cause changes within the such country’s
institutions.
Communism is not new in the Philippines. The struggle of the Communist rebels in the Philippines is
deeply rooted and traces its origin way back to the Spanish era. Their aim had been to overthrow the
government and to establish a new one based on the communist ideals.

Sources of Power
Power may be derived from various sources, including but not limited to social class, resources control,
charisma, ascribed power, social influence of tradition, and the likes. However, the three (3) basic
sources of power are, Force, Influence and Authority.
Force, as defined earlier, is the actual (physical force) or threatened (latent force) use of coercion to
impose one’s will on others. When leaders imprison or execute political dissenters, they apply force.
However, pure use or application of force usually do not produce the desired result in the long term.
Though it might restrain people temporarily, such will not hold and would only complicate things and
led to more problems.
Influence, which refers to the exercise of power through the process of persuasion, is the ability to
affect decisions and actions of others. An example of this is when a person changes his position to a
certain issue after listening to a political or religious leader, a showbusiness personality or a social
media influencer, deliver an opinion on the said issue.

Authority
Authority according to Schaefer and Lamn (1992), refers to power that has been institutionalized and
is recognized by the people over whom it is exercised. As a form of legitimate power, it is established
to make decisions and order the actions of others. Legitimacy means that those subjects to a
government authority consent to it (Giddens, 1997). As an agreed upon legitimate relationship of
domination and subjugation, any decision and carrying out of that decision, made through legitimate
channels of the government falls within the realm of that authority.

Types of Authority
Aristotle was once famously quoted saying that “man by nature is a political animal”. It is within man’s
nature to desire to dominate against his own kind in order to show his superiority against others.
However, Aristotle also claimed that “man by nature is a social animal”, for he desires acceptance and
the company of peers. Hence, though man desires power, he wants to take it in a legitimate way, or if
not, to at the very least give it a semblance of legitimacy. In line with this, Max Weber (1922) has
identified three (3) types of authority, namely, Traditional Authority, Legal-Rational Authority, and
Charismatic Authority.
Traditional Authority refers to the legitimate power conferred by custom, tradition, belief, and
accepted practices. Traditional authority is commonly built through time. It is based upon the collective
sense of propriety and acceptance of the society that had been honored through time. In the
Philippines for instance, the elders in the family are highly respected, since their age and life
experiences are commonly construed as wisdom from which the younger generation can learn a lot.

9
Legal-Rational Authority is established in law or written regulations that determines how a given
society will be governed. This is commonly exercised in workplaces, schools, and other institutions.
Leaders derive their legal authorities from written rules and regulations that were enacted by the
proper authorities. In the Philippines, the powers of the President are specifically enumerated in Article
VII of the 1987 Philippine Constitution.
Charismatic Authority is a type of power which derives its origin from an individual’s certain quality
which set him apart from ordinary men and treated as endowed with supernatural, superhuman, or at
the very least, especially exceptional powers or qualities (Weber, 1922). Philippine history is abundant
of such charismatic leaders in the likes of Jose Rizal and Andres Bonifacio.

Consequences of Power
As stated above, Socrates believed that true power comes with the control and order of one’s body
and soul. Simply put, man’s ability to control his action in order to live in a just and virtuous way is the
true measure of power. Ideally, this is what might be the epitome of the definition of power. However,
man being man himself, of which its very own nature itself is an unresolved debate, could hardly be
expected to live up to the expectations of the great philosopher, at all times. So, what occurs when
one acquires power?
Pittacus (460-568 BCE) opines that “the measure of man is what he does with power”. In other words,
the consequences of acquiring power lies within man. No generalization can sum up or predict how
man would act after acquiring power. For such consequences purely lies of what kind of a man had
acquired power. His personal character and morals is what would define the consequences of his
acquiring power.
However, one of the most accurate summation of man’s fear as regards the negative effect of
acquiring power was given by Lord Acton when he stated that “power tend to corrupt, absolute power
corrupts absolutely”. This statement neither needs an introduction nor elaboration, since history is in
abundance of lessons from Nero to Caligula; from Hitler to Stalin; and from Amin to Kim.
Indeed, power can be used either for the common good or to destroy and raise havoc. However, one
thing is sure, the proper use or absolute corruption of power will lie upon man himself. His character
and morals will be the ultimate guide of how he will wield the power that was put into his hands.

ACTIVITIES

Activity 1.1. Understanding Power, Authority and Force

Objective: To identify how power is defined and how does it reflect in society. Directions: On
a separate sheet of paper, using the format provided, accomplish the following tasks.

10
 1. Using the table given as pattern, give an instance where power, authority, and force are
exercised in the following:
a. family,
b. barangay,
c. school
d. and country.

Power Authority Force

Family

Barangay

School

Country

2. Choose any of the groups given in number one and analyze if power, authority and
force are effectively used in it.

Critical Thinking Question:

1. How do certain individuals practice power, authority, and force in the family, barangay,
school, and country?
2. Which among the manifestations of power, authority, and force reflects the ideas of
Socrates, Foucault, Max Weber, Alvin Genldner, and Anthony Giddens? Explain.
3. In your own words, how would you explain the phrase “what we need is not a change of
government, what we need is a change of men”?
4. How would you relate power to the quote “with great power comes great responsibility”
and “absolute power corrupts absolutely”? What then does it show about man’s relationship
with power?

11
Activity 1.2. Poetry Writing
Objective: To identify how authority works within the society.
Directions: On a separate piece of paper, write a short poem about your favorite political leader that
will characterize his or her practice of authority.

In writing your poem, consider the following:

a. Free verse (You can write either in Filipino or in English)
b. At least 4 stanzas with 4 lines in each stanza

Activity 1.3. Powerful Movie Lines

Objective: Understand how power is utilized and presented in different media. Directions: On a
separate piece of paper, answer the given guide questions by reflecting on the following quotes from
famous movies.
Choose any one from the following movie quotes THAT BEST DESCRIBES THE CONSEQUENCES
OF ACQUIRING POWER and discuss it with a friend or a family member.

With great power, comes great responsibility - Spiderman

Money can change everything - Lethal Weapon 3
Power rejects the worst, and it corrupts the best - Vikings Season 5

Critical Thinking Questions:

1. Which quotation did you choose and why is it the best in describing the consequence of
acquiring power? Explain.
2. Do you agree with the said statement? Explain.
3. To support your choice, cite specific examples that either happened to you, you had
witnessed, or happened in history. How is your cited event related to your choice?

12
 CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING
UNDERSTANDING POWER, AUTHORITY AND FORCE

After learning about power, it is now time for us to test how much have you learned from our
discussion. This exercise is meant to help you become familiar with power, authority and force.
Through familiarization, you can better understand the social phenomena around you.

Directions: On a separate sheet of paper, accomplish the following tasks.

1. Compare and contrast power, authority, and force using a modified Venn
diagram.
2. Use your own words in providing answers to the diagram.

Critical Thinking Questions

1. What is the common denominator between power, authority, and force? How are
these concepts related to each other?
2. In what manner are they different from each other? Explain your answer.
3. How will you practice power, authority, and force if you become a leader or manager
someday?

13
 REMEMBER
❖ Power is the ability to influence the behavior of others with or without resistance.
❖ Authority is the power that had been institutionalized and recognized by the people over
whom it is exercised.
❖ Force is the actual (physical force) or threatened (latent force) use of coercion to impose one’s
will on others.
❖ Influence is the exercise of power through the process of persuasion; it is the ability to affect
decisions and actions of others.
❖ Economic power refers to the ability to control events by virtue of material advantage.
❖ Social Power is the power based upon community opinion, family position, honor, prestige
and patterns of consumption and lifestyle.
❖ Political Power concerns with the activities of the states which is not confined to national
boundaries. It stretches across countries and around the globe.
❖ Traditional Authority refers to the legitimate power conferred by custom, tradition, belief, and
accepted practices.
❖ Legal-Rational Authority is established in law or written regulations that determines how the
society will be governed.
❖ Charismatic Authority is a type of power which derives its origin from an individual’s certain
quality which set him apart from ordinary man and treated as endowed with supernatural,
superhuman, or at the very least, especially exceptional powers or qualities.

POST TEST

Directions: Multiple Choice. Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the letter of your choice on a
separate sheet of paper.

1. According to Marx Weber, there are three (3) types of independent and equally important
power. Which of the following is NOT among Weber’s three types of power
?
a. Economic Power c. Political Power
b. Military Power d. Social Power

2. Brother Que is a powerful religious leader. He is a gifted speaker that people love and he knows
how to socialize, especially with the masses. This is why he had gained so much support and followers.
Which among the kinds of authority is the source of Brother Que’s power?
a. Charismatic c. Parental
b. Legal-Rational d. Traditional

14
3. Pittacus opines that “the measure of man is what he does with power”. Which of the following
statements below best explains Pittacus’ idea ?
a. Power exposed the wickedness in man and corrupt even the best in him
b. The true virtue of a man can never be truly known until he is given power
c. Man by nature is corrupt, hence, he will always do what is best for him even to the
detriment of others.
d. Man by nature is good, hence, whether he has power or not, he will always do
what will be good and beneficial to others.

4. One of the sources of power is force and it is defined as the actual (physical force) or threatened
(latent force) use of coercion to impose one’s will on others. Which of the following shows an example
of using force?
a. A Congressman suing a journalist for libel for writing that he is corrupt
b. A Senator exposing corruption in the different agencies of the government
c. The President threatening Congress to be shut down if the bill will not be prioritized
d. The government imposing additional taxes on alcoholic drinks and tobacco
products

5. According to the French philosopher Michel Foucault, power is a “relationship that is present in
all aspects of society.” Which among the following contradicts Foucault’s idea?
a. A father giving a gift to his son after winning the school quiz bee
b. A teacher giving punishment to students who violates some school policies
c. A group of friends conniving to bully a classmate so that they can have some fun
d. A mother making her daughter do some house chores to teach her and prepare her
in life

15
 REFERENCES

Online Sources

Bower, B. and Hart, D. (2014.). Government Alive! Power, Politics and You. Power,
Authority, and Government. Retrieved from
[Link] [Link]

Gorgias Spark Notes. (2020) Philosophical Themes, Arguments, Ideas.

Retrieved from [Link]

Little, W. and McGivern, R. (n.d.). Introduction to Sociology: Chapter 17: Government

and Politics. Retrieved from
[Link] government-and-politics/

Lumen Boundless Cosiology. (n.d.). Politics Power and Authority. Retrieved from
[Link] power-and-
authority/

Mondal, P. (n.d.). Power of Politics: Meaning, Types and Sources of Power. Retrieved from
[Link] meaning-types-and-sources-of-
power/31356

Troolin, A. (n.d.). “Political Power”. Retrieved from

[Link] sources. html

Turner, J.C. (2005). Explaining the Nature of Power: A Three-Process Theory. European Journal
of Social Psychology. 35(1):1-22. Retrieved from
[Link]

Photo/Figure/Illustration

Figure 1. World's Leading Economic Power according to Pew Research Center as cited
by Statista. (Accessed from
[Link] china-us/ , August
3, 2020)

Figure 2. Military Strength Ranking 2020. Global Firepower ranking presented utilizes over 50
individual factors to determine a given nation's PowerIndex ('PwrIndx') score with categories ranging
from military might and financials to

16
logistical capability and geography. (Accessed from
[Link] , August 3, 2020).

17
18
 Management and Development Team
Schools Division Superintendent: Maria Magdalena M. Lim, CESO V
Chief Education Supervisor: Aida H. Rondilla
CID Education Program Supervisor: Amalia C. Solis
CID LR Supervisor: Lucky S. Carpio
CID-LRMS Librarian II: Lady Hannah C Gillo
CID-LRMS PDO II: Albert James P. Macaraeg

Editor/s: Ludielyn Bautista, Teacher III (Content)

Raul F. Espinosa, Master Teacher II (Content) Joy R. Rapiz,
Teacher III (Content)
Writer/s: Ralph Rienz C. Mayo, Master Teacher II

19
 REFLECTIVE LEARNING SHEET

Name Grade and Section

School: Date: Subj. Teacher:

Quarter: 1st Module No.: 4 Week No.: 4

MELC: Analyze the nature, dimensions/types, and consequences of power. Objectives:
Apply the concept of power in the real situations.
Topic: Understanding power, authority and force.

Caricature in A Time Machine

(Collaboration, Creativity, Critical Thinking, Collaboration)

As the saying goes, “no man is an island”. Man cannot survive alone, not if he wants his own kind to
continue as the most dominant specie in this world. Hence man had created society that became more
and more complex through the passage of time. In order for you to better understand one of its
complexities, try to understand how power works within the society that you are a part of. In order
to do this, do this task as indicated below.

Directions:
1. Envision yourself as a leader or manager ten years from now.
2. Draw a Caricature of yourself at the back of this learning sheet showing how
will you exercise power and authority.
3. Choose a partner and discuss your output using text or messenger.
4. Write a summary of your discussion below your caricature.

20