What are the main distinguishing features of Lukes' 3 faces of power?

The one-dimensional view of power, Lukes argues, has mostly to do with apparently observable political processes. Where political actors are able to successfully implement their will through a decision-making process which affects other actors, one can say that power is in play. The two-dimensional view, exemplified by Bachrach and Baratz, also takes into account those decision which are not taken. That is to say, they consider those conflicts where A is able to limit the possible outcomes of a decision-making process or "rules of the game" to be a further manifestation of power. Finally, the third-dimensional view added by Lukes himself asserts that those potential issues or outcomes not discussed or considered may not be excluded only by actors protecting their own interests but also by more structural and institutional forces. Furthermore, power in the third-dimensional view exists where actors are subjugated through latent conflict: conflict is averted and while there is a conflict of interest, it does not come into view since the interests of the subjugated actor/s are not in fact expressed.

Answered by Raphael L. Sociology tutor

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