At the End of the Familiar Order: On the Understanding of Power

Regarding the popularity of the two – and other potential candidates – there were various polls in September. To name just two:

So, there’s no sign of broad approval for any of the candidates.
But is the competition for leadership in politics really about the best talents for constructively shaping the country’s future? Or is it primarily about personal power – about the ego of the individual players? How much ego can power tolerate?

“I observe a regressive, Machiavellian understanding of power, an individualistic elbow mentality,” says political scientist Sophie Pornschlegel in an interview with herCAREER. “Many people enter politics with the aim of gaining influence and power to make positive changes. (…) We notice that the world is changing, and the anchors of stability we once had are no longer there. (…) We are in a phase of transformation, yet we continue to work with political concepts and systems from the 20th century, which are increasingly reaching their limits as crises unfold and multiply.”

Sophie expects actors in politics and business to “critically (and more critically) reflect on their power. I have the impression that too many people in positions of power have never thought about how they define power and what they want to achieve with it. They are trapped in their own interests and the thought: How can I maintain or expand my power? (…)

As soon as there are social relationships, there will be power dynamics. We need to be aware that we exert power, no matter what private or professional position we hold. This is especially true for politicians, influencers, media professionals, but also for leaders, teachers, and older siblings. This means we all have to ask ourselves: What do I want to achieve with my power? What kind of world do I want to shape with my influence?”

At the podcast meetup at the herCAREER expo on October 17, 2024, at 12:45 PM, Kristina Appel will talk with Sophie Pornschlegel on the topic:
“At the End of the Familiar Order: Why We Need to Rethink Power. A Critical Analysis of German and International Power Politics.”
PROGRAM