Machtservaringen

Machtservaringen refers to the subjective experience of power in social relations. It encompasses both having power and feeling powerless, exercised through influence over others, decision-making, resources, or status. The concept is used in sociology, political science, organizational studies, and gender studies to understand how people perceive and respond to power in everyday life.

Power experiences vary by context: in politics, leaders may feel legitimacy and responsibility; in organizations, managers' sense of control can shape motivation and behavior; for subordinates, powerlessness can affect autonomy and voice. Experiences are influenced by identity factors such as gender, class, ethnicity, and rank, and by cultural norms around authority and dissent.

Theoretical approaches treat power as relational and situational. The French philosopher Michel Foucault emphasizes power as a diffuse network of practices and discourses; Weber distinguishes types of authority; Bourdieu links power to social capital and field position. The notion of empowerment emphasizes positive experiences of increased agency, while oppression highlights experiences of restriction and coercion.

Empirical study uses qualitative interviews, ethnography, and experimental methods to map how people perceive power, its sources, and its consequences for behavior, ethics, and well-being. Understanding machtservaringen sheds light on leadership, resistance, social inequality, and the dynamics of influence in institutions and everyday life.