Power: Why We Want It and What to Do with It

by Dennis Toombs

Overview

This book explores human behavior in terms of power in all its manifestations across a wide spectrum. The author examines the subtle dynamics of power in interpersonal relationships as well as its overarching influence in large institutions such as governments, nations, and the financial centers of our global economy. By using this single conceptual lens, he demonstrates how abundant and diverse our power sources are, how to find and develop them to unleash our hidden potential, and how to help others accomplish the same. What are the three (or four) greatest sources of individual power? How do we use power passively and aggressively in relationships? Why does power tend to corrupt? What influence does government have on the distribution of wealth? In what ways have globalization and technology changed our national economies, corporations, and governments? How can we promote the common good for ourselves and society? These questions and more are illuminated through the author's insightful focus on power broadly defined. After reading this book, you'll never see yourself or the world again in quite the same way.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781633881914
Publisher:	Prometheus Books
Publication date:	07/19/2016
Pages:	270
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Dennis Toombs, Ph.D., now retired, was professor of government for forty-two years at San Jacinto College in Houston, TX.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments 11

Chapter 1 Power 101 13

Struggle for Power 13

How Powerful Are You? 16

Our Three (Or Four) Greatest Sources of Power 18

Some Other Major Sources of Power 24

Summary 32

Chapter 2 Individual Power 33

Two Stages of Power 33

Passive and Aggressive Power 34

Long-Term and Short-Term Power 36

Guarding Our Greatest Sources of Power 38

Creativity 40

Survival 41

Death 43

Power Corrupts 45

Power Cuts Both Ways 45

Expression and Ideas 49

Emotions and Memories 55

Summary 58

Chapter 3 Group Power 59

Why We Rule 59

We Should and Must Generalize about People 60

Successful Groups Guaranteed 64

To Participate or Not 67

Causes and Effects of Freedom 69

Group Power: It's Not "What You Think 70

Power of Voting 75

Representation 78

Gender, Race, and Ethnicity 79

Nationality and Nationalism 82

Majority Rule and Minority Rights 85

Summary 87

Chapter 4 Government 89

Power of Government 89

The Pie-Who Gets What, Where, When, and How? 92

The Political System 95

Political System Diagram 95

Defining Democracy 100

Characteristics of a Democracy 101

Attempts at Government 108

Building Democracy 114

Authoritarian versus Democratic Subsystems 116

Criticisms of Democracy 119

Liberals versus Conservatives 122

Contradictions and Hypocrisy over Government's Size 123

Sugarcoat Politics to Make It Go Down 126

Enduring Issues Cutting across Time and Culture 128

The Abortion Debate, Ultimately a Clash in Values 129

Summary 130

Chapter 5 Economy 131

What Are Economics, Capitalism, and Socialism? 131

Market Capitalism versus Market Socialism 133

Which Economic System Is Superior? 136

Keys to Success 138

Food and Potable Water 139

Shelter, Utilities, and Clean Air 140

Clothing 140

Medical Care 141

Education 144

Jobs and Social Safety Nets 148

Collective Economic Power-Fall of the Middle Class 151

Globalism and the Economy 155

Summary 158

Chapter 6 Power From Within Yourself 159

Everything about Relationships in a Few Paragraphs 159

Civil and Uncivil Relationships 162

Components of Relationships, Civil or Uncivil 165

Power of Intimacy 166

Giving Up Power to Get Power 170

Relationships 170

Nature 173

Spirituality 174

You Are an Illusion 175

Summary 177

Chapter 7 Power Through Wisdom and Ethics 179

The American Dream 179

Power of Enlightenment 180

Giving Up the Ego 182

Using Power Wisely and Ethically 185

A Just Society 188

A Revolution in Human Imagination 192

A World without Conflict 221

Our Place in the Struggle for Power 223

Notes 227

Index 235

Editorial Reviews

"Over the years I’ve read numerous books on power, including the classics. Yet few have opened my eyes more clearly to what power is, and few, if any, have provided a clearer vision of how power should be used. Dennis Toombs’s Power is a must-read.”  —Thomas E. Patterson, Bradlee Professor of Government and the Press, Harvard University “Power is an incredibly insightful yet highly readable look at a fundamental building block of human nature and our relationships with others. The author analyzes and then links our understanding of everyday behavior to what the world’s great thinkers have to say about power. Experiences from rural villages in India to the thoughts of classic Greek philosophers and the American founding fathers, and beyond, are woven together in a narrative loaded with commonplace examples. The book provides a useful addition to widen and deepen our understanding of both ourselves and the world around us. Everyone will profit from reading this book.” —Robert Dewhirst, PhD, professor of political science, Northwest Missouri State University “In this concise book, Professor Toombs focuses on the subject of power—how it is acquired and how it is used in the world by both individuals and institutions today. Power is a synthesis of many fields of inquiry—psychology, philosophy, political science, history, and religion, to name a few. To examine power relationships, Toombs manages to extract the keenest insights from these varied fields, and he accomplishes this in a very easy-to-read fashion and without being condescending to his readers. Colorful examples, the frequent use of humor, and the judicious selection of factual information make this a highly pleasant and insightful read.” —Dr. Robert Carp, political science professor, University of Houston “Power presents insights into the journey of power from prehistoric times to the present. It explains how power has been used and for what purposes in all major areas of human endeavor. Despite the trend toward concentration of power, Toombs remains optimistic that it will ultimately be used for the greater good. General readers will appreciate the opportunity to expand their understanding of power and its applicability in their own lives, while college students in a wide range of behavioral and social sciences will learn principles that will serve them well in both their education and careers. Because of Toombs’s lucid, perhaps even conversational, writing style, readers in most age groups will be able to benefit from this useful tool.”  —James Hall, former history professor and dean of the Evening and Weekend College at San Jacinto College, North   “I follow human beings whose central goal in life is to seek and gain great power—the presidency or one of the other top posts in government. Until I read Dennis Toombs’s revealing and comprehensive exploration of power, I thought my subjects were unusual. It turns out, Toombs argues, that we are all power-hungry, we are just not as skilled at grabbing control as alpha males and females are. It isn’t all dog-eat-dog, thank goodness. Toombs also shows how we can use power ethically and for just purposes. You’ll enjoy this stimulating, thought-provoking volume.” —Larry J. Sabato, director, Center for Politics, University of Virginia “This book is both wide and deep in its coverage of the concept of power. Professor Toombs explores the topic holistically, with an eye toward explaining it capably and carefully to a general audience. To examine some of the most fundamental and enduring questions of human behavior, Power draws on philosophical thinking and theoretical constructs that stretch back generations. Furthermore, Toombs provides abundant examples of how this wisdom applies to ordinary situations and individuals. This book offers an impressive treatment of power that will serve as a useful addition to the collection of volumes on this topic, with portable insights for the readers.”   — Sunil Ahuja, PhD, vice president, accreditation relations, institutional change, and research at the Higher Learning Commission

From the Publisher