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John Kenneth Galbraith

The Anatomy of Power Hardcover – January 1, 1983

by John Kenneth Galbraith (Author)

4.7 33 ratings

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Discusses the many sources and instruments of power, and explains how power is utilized by organizations and businesses and in economics and political and military life

Print length

206 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Publication date

January 1, 1983
ISBN-10

039534400X
ISBN-13

978-0395344002
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4.7 out of 5

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not me

Essential Reading for Galbraith Fans

Reviewed in the United States on July 22, 2022

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"The Anatomy of Power" is a thought-provoking study of social power. It is learned, worldly, and droll. It slices through cant and self-serving ideology. Insights abound. The tone is Veblenesque. In short, it is vintage Galbraith. Even the book's defects -- especially its tendency toward armchair sociology and history, or its counter-intuitive treatment of persuasion as a form of power -- are typical of Galbraith, who sometimes acted as if stylish writing and brains could substitute for research, logic, and evidence. Here and there the attempts at grand social theory become very abstract, but these arid parts are balanced by satire at the expense of politicians, executives, and media personalities. Some of the material is familiar ground for Galbraith (e.g., the power of oligopolies), but other topics are new (e.g., power in the Catholic Church). Most of the book holds up well, even though it was written in the 1980s. Recommended.

One person found this helpful

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Ross

Astounding!

Reviewed in the United States on August 19, 2016

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I've purchased this book several times. It is the first book I recommend people read, the first book I lend out, and the only book that I've replaced every time I've lent it out. This is a phenomenal work and no other book has so changed my view of the world. I absolutely recommend everyone read this book. It is by no means dated and there a few books being published in our times that can rival it. Don't pass this one up.

12 people found this helpful

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jose

Excellent

Reviewed in the United States on June 18, 2021

Excellent

Reviewed in the United States on September 4, 2015

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Very good Book

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A lesson in power dynamics

Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2018

Incredibly interesting book on the nature, sources, and exercise of power. The word “power” gets tossed around a lot. Here, Galbraith writes about “the ability of individuals or groups to win the submission of others to their purpose”.

According to Galbraith there are three sources of power: personality, property, and organisation; and three instruments: condign (threat of punishment), compensatory (positive incentives), and social conditioning. To explain, take the Christian religion. The 1. Personality of Jesus, 2. Immense property and wealth of the Church and 3. Effective organisation of Christianity at the community level - make for a powerful combination. Then there’s the 1. condign threat of spending eternity in hell for wrong deeds, 2. monetary and social gain achieved through association with the church, and 3. A comprehensive social conditioning (obedience, reinforcement).

There are insights here that are a revelation. Take his observation of symmetric responses to power. For most groups that seek to gain power, an equal and opposite countervailing force exists to curtail power. Think pro-life v pro choice. Or, note how often we see a similar level of internal and external exercise of power. The Mafia is as ruthless to its own members as it is to rival gangs. The military, media, economic systems and government are all analysed for their unique power dynamics.

The fact that Galbraith's analysis resonates so strongly with the reality of power today demonstrates its durability. In this book, Galbraith peels back and uncovers the complex power dynamics all around us while explaining them to the reader in an understandable and insightful way.

8 people found this helpful

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Luc REYNAERT

The love of power is the love of ourselves

Reviewed in the United States on December 24, 2003

For prof. Galbraith there are three sorts of power (condign, compensating and conditioned) and three sources of power (personality, property and organization).
With these elements he sketches a historical evolution of the West from feudalism to capitalism, integrating as diverse aspects as politics, economics, religion, the family, the military, advertising, media and education.
This book was written in 1983, in a sometimes cynical tone, especially in the comments on politicians, businessmen and the military. It contains positive and negative elements.
The author predicted the omnipotence of the military and the intelligence organizations, as well as their obsessive need for a specific enemy.
He saw the rise of the organizational power, but not the fact that the influence of the transnational corporations would dwarf state and trade union power (see N. Hertz - The silent take-over).
A mistake is his underestimation of the power of the media and their message controlled by the powerful.
Also, the Darwinian aspect of power is not commented on.
But, this small book is still a very worth-while read.

25 people found this helpful

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Abheek Saha

A very insightful book

Reviewed in the United States on August 11, 2010

Prof. Galbraith has surpassed himself in this book. Breaking power up into categories, he delves into sources of power, the evolution of power, projection and counter-action. The book is tightly written and the author provides plenty of historical examples to back it up. Written in the 1980s, it reflects the understanding of the time; specifically, Prof. Galbraith probably over-estimates military power and under-estimates the power of the press and the global corporation. But this takes little away from the deep insight in the book. One of the most powerful ideas in the book is that conditioning power, power which allows one to control how others think is the most insidious when it is hidden by a "solvent". One can extend this idea to understand how military power hides behind a facade of nationalism, and corporate power hides behind the efficient market hypothesis. By understanding how conditioning power, allied with the press works, we can get a 'under-the-hood' understanding of how modern society works. Absolutely recommended for everybody.

6 people found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

Sergiy Muzyka

An ok book.

Reviewed in Germany on May 14, 2020

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It is an OK book.

The first 100 pages are quite interesting, describing three broad instrumental categories of power, their sources and historical development as well as change in their importance.
The rest of the pages can be ignored, the author just fills the pages.

Most of the valuable stuff was said in the first 100 pages.
One of the big negatives of the book, it is written in an unnecessarily complicated language.

From my subjective opinion, the topic could have been written in a much easier language, unless one wants to show off his vocabulary.

Brian R Farmer

Five Stars

Reviewed in Canada on February 12, 2018

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Well written, quite revealing.

John Courtneidge

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 20, 2018

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Superb book!

SueF

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 15, 2018

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Excellent

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