Power Establishment and Building Social Criticism
A. Introduction
Power is a topic that is often discussed in political sociology. Resistance or efforts to
perpetuate power often merge in hidden ways through the ideology of power, and
continue to be created by groups sitting behind the seats of authority.
B. Power Establishment and Building Social Criticism
- Power Preservation Efforts
The perpetuation of power is carried out through cultural hegemony or
ideologicalization, namely a spontaneous (conscious) loyalty from the masses
directed at the dominating ruling group.
According to Althusser, there are two things that make power last, namely the
relationship between the Repressive State Apparatus and the Ideological Apparatus.
The Repressive State Apparatus is tasked with maintaining the resilience of power
through repressive means. Meanwhile, the Ideological Apparatus functions to fill
discourses in the public space that support the perpetuation of existing power.
The use of language in Althusser's view is used as a tactic of persuading power by
the authorities to the people. Power will create what is considered right and what is
wrong. Language is jointly used as a tool to master and control society. Language as
a communication tool is basically neutral but in the end it can be used as a tool to
determine what is good and what is bad (Heryanto in Naution, 2007:445). Examples
of the use of language in the perpetuation of power are "free responsibility",
"dynamic stability".
According to Foucault in his work entitled History of Sexuality, the scope of power is
not only in government such as the legislature, executive and judiciary, but power
also resides in the smallest social institution, namely the family. Power is not only
carried out through violence but also formed through obedience which is cultivated
in the public. Power is also channeled to knowledge and pleasure, not just
oppressive norms and regulations. examples of power that shape a culture of
obedience are such as limiting the number of children, symbols that make people
obey even though people don't know whether they are definitely being watched or
not.
- Social Criticism
The ambiguity that exists in power makes it necessary to re-think critically about
the moral legitimacy of power. This means that the moral legitimacy of power itself
is not necessarily morally valid, it still needs to be checked again whether the
legitimacy contains validity and moral value. Do these morals have a strong
foundation and are able to grow the public's will to obey them? Social criticism plays
an important role in controlling the tendencies of dominative, expansive and corrupt
power. Social criticism is able to help look back so that the ongoing power does not
justify continuously. Social criticism is ideally voiced by intellectuals so that the
point is precise, with the assumption that intellectuals will voice criticism based on
A. Introduction
Power is a topic that is often discussed in political sociology. Resistance or efforts to
perpetuate power often merge in hidden ways through the ideology of power, and
continue to be created by groups sitting behind the seats of authority.
B. Power Establishment and Building Social Criticism
- Power Preservation Efforts
The perpetuation of power is carried out through cultural hegemony or
ideologicalization, namely a spontaneous (conscious) loyalty from the masses
directed at the dominating ruling group.
According to Althusser, there are two things that make power last, namely the
relationship between the Repressive State Apparatus and the Ideological Apparatus.
The Repressive State Apparatus is tasked with maintaining the resilience of power
through repressive means. Meanwhile, the Ideological Apparatus functions to fill
discourses in the public space that support the perpetuation of existing power.
The use of language in Althusser's view is used as a tactic of persuading power by
the authorities to the people. Power will create what is considered right and what is
wrong. Language is jointly used as a tool to master and control society. Language as
a communication tool is basically neutral but in the end it can be used as a tool to
determine what is good and what is bad (Heryanto in Naution, 2007:445). Examples
of the use of language in the perpetuation of power are "free responsibility",
"dynamic stability".
According to Foucault in his work entitled History of Sexuality, the scope of power is
not only in government such as the legislature, executive and judiciary, but power
also resides in the smallest social institution, namely the family. Power is not only
carried out through violence but also formed through obedience which is cultivated
in the public. Power is also channeled to knowledge and pleasure, not just
oppressive norms and regulations. examples of power that shape a culture of
obedience are such as limiting the number of children, symbols that make people
obey even though people don't know whether they are definitely being watched or
not.
- Social Criticism
The ambiguity that exists in power makes it necessary to re-think critically about
the moral legitimacy of power. This means that the moral legitimacy of power itself
is not necessarily morally valid, it still needs to be checked again whether the
legitimacy contains validity and moral value. Do these morals have a strong
foundation and are able to grow the public's will to obey them? Social criticism plays
an important role in controlling the tendencies of dominative, expansive and corrupt
power. Social criticism is able to help look back so that the ongoing power does not
justify continuously. Social criticism is ideally voiced by intellectuals so that the
point is precise, with the assumption that intellectuals will voice criticism based on
