Authoritarian Power Structure Leaders Use example essay topic

The use of "coercive power", in democratic societies, to protect followers and administer daily activities is good, "appropriate" and can be been seen as a set of disciplinary sanctions, a driving force to maintain order, a stimulus to keep interactions and common life well managed and respected. It, indeed, benefits both leaders and followers, eases common growth in good situations, provides support and hope in difficult circumstances. In addition of the first fives examples of coercive power that are given in chapter 5, Power and influence, page 119 of our leadership book; we should mention the positive way the September 11th, 2001 the terrorist attack (two hijacked planes crashed into the World Trade Center and then exploded into flames, each tower collapsed and eventually burned down to the ground. No one really had any idea of why or how a catastrophe of this magnitude could erupt in what seemed out of nowhere) was handled here in the US. Leaders and followers in the state of New York and the entire nation were strongly connected to overcome that difficult circumstance both emotionally and rationally. New York city's Mayor, Mr. Rudolph Giuliani, was visible and he explicitly expressed his unconditional love for his city: "there was a level of enthymeme with Mayor Giuliani and the people of New York.

He was seen as a hero at how he spoke with the New Yorkers and handled the crisis of the WTC attack" (Lena Sark is Professor At tias Tues. 4-645 p: 9/11 - A Rhetorical Exigence or an Exigence Created by the Media? ). He used his power effectively to move, entice, persuade, encourage, motivate his followers and engage their behavior in compliant with that catastrophic / tragic situation (the terrorist attack). The president George W. Bush asked for prayers for those killed or wounded in the attacks and ensured citizens that: "Make no mistake, the United States will hunt down and punish those responsible for these cowardly acts" (CNN. com 2001). Wrong and inappropriate: On the other hand, in societies where there is authoritarianism, autocracy, despotism, tyranny, dictatorship, absolutism, aristocracy or simply total repression; "coercive power" is a sign of fears and the use of force.

It purely can be seen as wrong and "inappropriate". In other words, "It's the ability to control others through fear of punishment or the loss of valued outcomes". The social legitimacy of authority (defined as power assigned according to norms and generally accepted as legitimate by those over whom it is exercised) becomes / is an ingredient of the established authoritarian power structure (a power structure in which power is concentrated in the hands of a relative few.) Leaders (those in power) use military force, spies, mole to intimidate, terrorize, imprison, murder followers. They promote limited actions and observations, forbid free political elections to secure their power and the capacity to get others' obedience. Contrary to true leaders who are secured enough to encourage, develop new leaders, root for new ideas; they impose themselves as the unique alternative for the present and future social, intellectual and spiritual development and growth. In daily life, those leaders play with what they wear, their physical appearances, behavior, style, environmental setting and glory as dominant psychological influence tactics to rule.

Followers, faced to those leaders' authoritarian power structure, embrace rebellion (a form of deviance in which a person challenges values and norms that define legitimate means for achieving them. In politics, a rebellion challenges the policies of a government without trying to change the characteristics of the state as a social system) to overcome, in their Action-Observation-Reflection model (A-O-R). Explicitly, "Power does not need to be exercised in order to have its effect" (Gardner, 1986, p. 5). Therefore, to by pass totalitarian dominations, clandestinely followers' in unison make demands (What people and groups want from the political system), opt for deregulation (the elimination or reduction of government regulation of industry. ), creation of political institution (the relatively permanent social system through which power is distributed and exercised in societies. ), political party (an organization whose main goal is to acquire power by placing members in positions of authority in political institutions. ), reject atheism or monotheism (religious belief in a single supreme being. ), press for political pluralism (the distribution of power among a variety of interest groups. ), democracy (a social system in which power is evenly distributed, ruled by the people. ), political opinion (Opinions on political issues, such as a choice among candidates or parties. ), public opinion (the expression of attitudes about government and politics. ), political participation (The involvement of citizens in the political process of a nation. ), organize coup d'etat, revolution (s). Examples of "coercive power" symbol of oppression, fears and the use of force are: Francois and Jean Claude Duvalier, Presidents of Haiti (1957-1986); Augusto Pinochet, Chile (1973-1990); Adolf Hitler, Dictator of Nazi Germany (1933-45); Ferdinand Marcos, Philippine head of state (1966-86), Saddam Hussein, President of Iraq for the past two decades, (1979-Present? )...

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