Power: Where Is It?

by Donald J. Savoie

In this informative critique of contemporary leadership, renowned political scientist Donald Savoie poses and answers the crucial where is power located, and who is in charge?

In recent years it has become extremely difficult to pinpoint the location of political and economic power, making it complicated to determine who is to blame for political and economic catastrophes and leading to increased disenchantment with Western politicians and bureaucrats. Power considers how forces such as globalization, the new media, the changing role of the courts in parliamentary democracies, the partisanship of political parties in shaping policy, and collapsing boundaries between governments and within government departments have caused citizens to feel their countries are less democratic. Savoie argues that power is leaving institutions and organizations and going to powerful individuals in both the public and private sectors, who often push aside formal processes in order to drive change.

A startling and clarifying examination of changes in modern society, Power unravels the tangled web of influences that have put the power to make important decisions in the hands of the few to show why our governing institutions are no longer effective.

312 pages, Paperback

First published May 19, 2010

Reviews

[Nikki Henry · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book for class - to sum it up, Power is everywhere and nowhere all at once. This book will not give you direct answers, rather it will get you thinking and understanding our national and international political structure a bit better. Talks about individuals, institutions, and the media. This book is not (necessarily) going to teach you how to be powerful. It is going to get you thinking about the field of study of Political Science. It’s modern but does talk about Canada a ton. I liked it for what it is since it is a contribution to the world of understanding Politics, but maybe don’t pick this book up if you want a fun holiday read.

[Tucker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Doesn't live up to its ambitious title. Mostly says obvious things about the nature of political power: e.g. it comes in hard and soft versions; rich people have lots of it; transparency and a free press are good counterweights; etc. Doesn't mention race or gender. Is limited to a Canada/US perspective with examples mostly from the early 2000s. No action items for individuals to interrogate our own power or lack thereof.

[haetmonger]

too long to recommend for extracurricular reading, but the basic argument -- that power is currently widely dispersed and difficult to locate in angloamerican society, and as a result, there's an accountability deficit in the system -- continues to keep me convinced. but yeah, not succint enough to earn a recommendation

[Abcdarian · Rating 2 out of 5]

Quite repetitious, but important.