Final answer:
Power is the capacity to influence others and can shape social, professional, and governmental dynamics. It extends internationally and can manifest through warfare and political strategies. Power involves rational-legal and traditional authority, and also connects to social characteristics and agency.
Step-by-step explanation:
The capacity of a person, team, or organization to influence others is the definition of power. This concept, as explained by the renowned sociologist Max Weber, signifies the ability to exercise one's will over others, which impacts various dynamics including social groups, professional organizations, and governments. Power extends beyond domestic borders, as seen in historical contexts where governments use their influence internationally through methods such as warfare, political alliances, and economic sanctions.
For instance, the United States has demonstrated its global power by forming the Allied forces during World War II, invading Iraq to overthrow Saddam Hussein, and imposing sanctions on North Korea. Power is multifaceted and intertwined with politics, often requiring a belief in its existence to be effective. It is present in forms of rational-legal authority, traditional authority, and through the exertion of control or agency which can be contextualized by factors like race, gender, and class.