Power analysis

A power analysis identifies the main types of power in a system of interest. It can be used to plan an intervention and an evaluation by identifying potential allies, opponents and constituents who should be addressed in a theory of change and related monitoring and evaluation.

This is different to the statistical method power calculation, sometimes called power analysis, used to calculate sample sizes.

Power analysis includes different types of power including:

• Power over: The power of those with strength or status over others, including the ability to exclude others.
• Power to: The power to decide on actions and carry them out, which often comes from capacity involving knowledge, skills, and tools.
• Power with: The collective power achieved through organisation, solidarity, and joint action.
• Power within: The power from personal self-confidence linked to culture, religion, or identity, influencing what thoughts and actions are seen as legitimate or acceptable.
• Power for: The power derived from having a clear vision and sense of purpose.
• Power under: The act of passing on mistreatment to others due to fear, humiliation, anger, resentment, superiority, or arrogance.

It includes power in different forms:

• Visible power: Observable decision-making mechanisms
• Hidden power: Shaping or influencing the political agenda behind the scenes
• Invisible power: Norms and beliefs, socialisation, ideology

It includes power acted out in different spaces:

• Closed spaces: Where decisions are made by closed groups
• Invited spaces: Where people are asked to participate but within set boundaries
• Created spaces: Where less powerful actors claim a space where they can set their own agenda