Tales of power

Abstract

ABSTRACT In the form of an interview between two colleagues, this paper explores 50 years of power theorizing by Stewart Clegg, from his early doctoral days to the present day. The origins of his approach to power in a combination of structuralism, Wittgenstein and ethnomethodology are explored. The background to his early work, whose empirics were based on the analysis of conversational materials, are outlined, as well as how it became a publication. The rationale and context of subsequent significant contributions to the power debate are engaged. Elsewhere, the power debate had moved from Lukes’ three dimensions of power to four dimensions, the provenance of which is critically evaluated. In order to exemplify the practical implications of these theoretical reflections, the conversation goes on to address some current issues associated with the coronavirus pandemic and the relations between democracy and elites.