Question

Define, in your own words, positional power and its role in public administration. Describe how different types of positional power might play out in different public administration arenas (i.e., local, state, and federal)? How does positional power influence intergovernmental interactions (i.e., local, state, and federal)?

Answer 1

Positional power is the power that some one gets due to his or her authority in his organisation due to their structure and hierarchy. The better post your are settled the more power and authority you have on people.

President is the higher authority in US where he has more positional to take any decision on anything. Governor is the higher authority in state where has high positional power to take decisions in any state.

Like Cheif Engineer is the higher authority in that sector who have high positional power. In the same way CEO is the higher authority in a Private company who takes decision. So depending on their authority they will take the decision.

Positional power always have great influence and impact on intergovernmental interaction where they can talk with each other and take a decision with mutual understanding. Sometimes even these positional power even bring ego clashes with each other which lead to different opinions.

So depending on the position and their power they take decisions.