Power and Resistance

Treatments of Weber's discussion of power have not adequately appreciated that in his analysis power and resistance are distinct but interdependent aspects of power relations. The concept 'resistance' is necessary for an understanding of power relations and irreducible to the concept of'power'. However this insight cannot be developed from Weberian premises. Through a discussion of accounts of power in Lukes, Giddens, and others, it is shown that the distinction between power and resistance remains obscure for theories which emphasize the formal properties of power and ignore its social context. The exercise of power over others draws upon social resources not available to subordinate agents. Nevertheless, those subject to power can mobilize other social resources in a contribution to power relations through resistance. In limiting power, resistance influences the outcome of power relations. Power relations imply acceptance on the part of those subject to them. They also imply resistance. This has been regarded as paradoxical, if not contradictory. But acceptance by social actors of the legitimacy of power over them does not imply that they cannot attempt to moderate its effects. That is, an acceptance of power does not preclude resistance. Pragmatic or expedient acceptance of power includes a significant resistive element, either because of an absence of interest in the realization of the goals of power, or because of an overt hindrance of its proper operations. The distinction implicit here between 'frictional' and 'intentional' resistance raises another matter, namely the idea that resistance to power leads to conflict. Resistance can take different forms, but none are necessarily associated with conflict. What they have in common, rather, is the fact that resistance imposes limits on power. Indeed, it is through its limitation on power that resistance contributes to the outcome of power relations. 7he British Journal of Sociology Volume XX,YVI Number 4 J. M. Barbalet This content downloaded from 207.46.13.158 on Wed, 16 Nov 2016 04:27:44 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms