Power

            What is “Power”? Power “potere” is the ability to bring about an intended outcome, even when opposed by others (Experience Sociology Page 111).  In everyday life you can see power being enforced on people who can’t do anything about it. For example, workers in a corporate business have to listen to whatever the boss says or the fear the chance of getting fired. This is an example of Exploitation where the act of using people’s labors to produce profit while not compensating them fairly. Working at a private business which was a Homeless Shelter was a great job. But as I continued to work there I noticed my boss empowering poor people to care for themselves and their families. This was an international business which helped many poor families. But this empowerment drove this business down due the multiple complaints it got.

            Referring back to the video “The Milgram Experiment”, the experiment conducted was to show if the teacher would choose to continue the punishment as the learner kept getting the wrong answer. The Sociologist who observed the reactions to this experiment explained that normal people would inflict pain and violence even if they don’t know it. Many of the teachers kept asking to stop the experiment because they feared the result would cause long term damage to the leaner. But in fact, as shown in the video, the teacher was in power the entire time and didn't know it. This is an example of Powerlessness where the teacher thought they were situated to take orders and rarely had the right to give them. These people felt that they lacked the decision making power which was not true.

            One of the most obvious and visible for of oppression is Violence. In everyday life you can watch or hear about violence that takes place in the world. In the American society, women, blacks, Asians, Arabs, and gay relations have to live everyday under multiple threats of violence. People tend to Coerce when in the act of violence. Coerce is referred to as “force compliance by threatening, intimidating, pressuring, or harming someone” (Experience Sociology Page 114).

            Power can occur in small groups as well. For example “Rewarding Power” can be used when a parent gives their child weekly allowance so that they can have the power over their child behavior. Another example of power is “Coercive Power”, which is the ability to punish. Police officer has the right to enforce the law but generally uses their power to gain what they want. For example issuing and parking ticket when no law is being broken. The person can argue all they want but it’s the officer’s word over there.

            The Milgram Experiment was an experiment to show “Power Tactics”. It showed various strategies people use to influence others in daily life. After the experiment was finished the sociologist asked every volunteers who’s fault would it be if the leaner had died. And as expected the volunteers answered and said “It would be my fault because I was in control of the machine”.  The sociologist knew that answer was coming and asked them “why didn't you stop? You were in control, in power of the machine and still continued”.  The volunteers stayed quiet and didn't answer the question.

            Another personal experience that happened to me was in high school. Teachers tend to empower students rather than simply transmitting facts. A student must listen to the teacher in order to achieve their goal in finishing school. Going into college, a college education can be an important means of learning about their situation and developing skills necessary for getting a good job. Graduating from high school changed the way I viewed my approach to school. And I took advantage of this to use my power to get a better education and better my life.