Role of Power in Government, Economy, and Politics

Power usually plays a huge role in government, economy, and politics.  The power in politics usually means the power of influence.  Lately in the news the rising of energy prices has been a prevalent topic.  The scarcity of oil means power for the countries in the greatest possession of oil.  The consumption of oil unfortunately exceeds the production and therefore represents a threat to the economy of the United States in the future.  When talking about Egypt's effect on oil price increases Fortune Magazine delineates that  "what really stands to tighten the screws on oil fiends is the rising demand for that shrinking supply" (http://finance.fortune.cnn.com/2011/01/31/how-egypt-spells-oil-spike/).  In the near future therefore those who have the power of energy will also have the power to set the prices as high as they wish.  In the book it is discussed that the power in government is directly tied to the power of the economy.  If the power lies with the government then corporations' treatment of employees improves, if the power lies with the corporations they tend to control a great amount of power.  The government has to control certain aspects because "unless business firms are required to pay the costs of doing business, they will avoid doing so" (p. 29).  The book also talks about the way companies are generally interested in making a profit rather than the well being of society.  As examples the book talks about pharmaceutical companies and mortgage companies.  These two examples really portray the need of people for shelter and medicine versus the need of companies to make profits.  The power lies in the companies though so the people who need the help are unfortunately out of luck.  

Obtained from: <http://fortunewallstreet.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/egypt.gif>

Obtained from:

<http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2009/1/5/saupload_07_11_25_economist_cartoon.jpg>

References: "The Politics of Power"- Ira Katznelson, Mark Kesselman, Alan Draper.
"How Egypt Spells Oil Spike" - <http://finance.fortune.cnn.com/2011/01/31/how-egypt-spells-oil-spike/>
Chart - <http://fortunewallstreet.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/egypt.gif>
Cartoon - <http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2009/1/5/saupload_07_11_25_economist_cartoon.jpg>