POWER is simply the ability to get others to do what you want. Power is central to the politics and government, which is reflected in our basic definitions of these concepts: recall that politics involves distributing limited power and resources in society, and government is defined as the structure through which AUTHORITY (i.e., power that is viewed as legitimate) is exercised over a group of people.
Power in the civil arena has many different sources, and the exercise of power can take many different forms. Understanding where power comes from and how it can be exercised within the civic arena can help you more effectively engage in civic life.