On the Concept of Power: Possibility, Necessity, Politics

Power is a central organizing concept for politics, but scholars have not yet settled on a proper definition. Guido Parietti proposes a more proper definition of power as the condition of having available possibilities and representing them as such, and examines its implications for the study of politics. He asserts that political science obscures power's correspondence to the category of possibility in favor of causality and probability, and political philosophy prioritizes various forms of a teleologically oriented normativity. Bringing together different disciplinary discourses, Parietti examines the conditions for power to have an actual referent and what may endanger our access to and exercise of it.

Format: Hardback
Length: 280 pages
Publication date: 16 August 2022
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

Power, a fundamental concept in politics, has eluded a definitive definition for decades. Scholars in political science, sociology, and philosophy have grappled with this challenge, but existing definitions fall short due to their circularity or detachment from the ordinary meaning of power. Guido Parietti's book, "On the Concept of Power," offers a fresh perspective by proposing a definition of power as the condition of having available possibilities and representing them as such. This definition challenges the traditional approaches in political science and philosophy, which prioritize causality and probability over possibility.

Parietti argues that political science fails to recognize the correspondence between power and the category of possibility, instead obscuring it in favor of causality and probability. Political philosophy, on the other hand, tends to prioritize teleologically oriented normativity, discarding possibility in favor of oriented potentialities anchored to necessity. These approaches ultimately fail to properly conceptualize power in accordance with its ordinary language meaning.

To address this issue, "On the Concept of Power" brings together different disciplinary discourses and examines the conditions for power to have an actual referent. In other words, it explores how politics can manifest in our world. Through an original and ambitious critique of prevailing approaches, Parietti offers a new framework for understanding power and its implications for the study of politics.

This book is a valuable contribution to political theory and political science, providing a fresh perspective on an essential concept that has long puzzled scholars. It challenges the boundaries between disciplines and encourages a more holistic understanding of power. By examining the conditions for power to have an actual referent, Parietti opens up new avenues for exploring the complexities of political life and the role of power in shaping our world.

Weight: 536g
Dimension: 243 x 161 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780197607480