TY - JOUR T1 - Social Organization and Power: A Sociological Perspective AU - Sijuwade, O. Philip JO - The Social Sciences VL - 7 IS - 5 SP - 704 EP - 712 PY - 2012 DA - 2001/08/19 SN - 1818-5800 DO - sscience.2012.704.712 UR - https://makhillpublications.co/view-article.php?doi=sscience.2012.704.712 KW - Power KW -social organization KW -parsonian theory KW -pluralist KW -elitist KW -control AB - Since, power is a pervasive yet contentious feature in social organization and therefore a central concept in sociology, it necessitates an adequate sociological review. As an interactive process with no monolithic character, social power has both intended and unintended effects for either promotive or a preventive purpose. Methods of exerting social power include force, dominance, authority, attraction, ideology and discipline, though any specific situation may include more than one form and sometimes in an overlapping manner. This study discerns four conspicuous perspectives of social power in modern Sociology: Marxist, Elitist, Pluralist and Foucaultian. None of these are formal theories nevertheless these broad perspectives tend to shape the overall manner in which sociologists view the role in social organization. ER -