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Power, Conflict and Peace
Ochieng, Ruth Ojiambo
Ochieng, Ruth Ojiambo
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Abstract
"The concept of power is complex and it is difficult to come up with a consensus meaning that addresses different perceptions. Many scholars, researchers and development actors have defined the term from a masculine and feminine perspective, and rightly so since power is centred on issues of relationship and interaction. However, how this power is communicated and related to individuals and groups determines their response.1 Srilatha Batliwala (1995) defines power as ‘the degree of control over material, human, intellectual and financial resources exercised by different sections of society.’ The control of these resources becomes a source of individual and social power. The extent of power of an individual or group is correlated to how many different kinds of resources they can access and control. He further indicates that different degrees of power are sustained and perpetuated through social divisions such as gender, age, caste, class, ethnicity, race, and continental divides, and through institutions such as the family, religion, education, culture media, the law, etc. This analysis explains the urge to monopolise power over others, which are defining characteristic of the masculine persona, where attention and obedience are demanded of millions of others by those in power. In recent times, masculine power structures have used militarism and militarization to re-enforce their power of dominance, coercion and conquering to destroy their so-called rivals. This has resulted in individuals, communities and societies experiencing divisions, greed, hate and conflict."(pg 1)
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2008-10
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With permission of the license/copyright holder