Power (Social sciences)

In political science, power is the ability to direct the actions and conduct of others. Political power is usually exercised through government offices with authority, over political societies which are often termed states. Power does not exclusively refer to the threat or use of force (coercion) by one actor against another, but may also be exerted through diffuse means (such as institutions). The term authority is often used for power that is perceived as legitimate or socially approved by the social structure. Scholars have distinguished between soft power and hard power.