Political Science the Anatomy of Power: Structures, Strategies, and Struggles BY Dr.Ranadevan Rajakumaravelu,Mr.Sudheer Nandim,Dr.Suresh Kumar,Mr.Jyotipal Borah,Dr.Neerja Garg

Power is one of the most enduring and contested concepts in political science. It shapes relationships, structures institutions, and defines the boundaries of governance and resistance. This book, Political Science: The Anatomy of Power – Structures, Strategies, and Struggles, emerges from a shared conviction among its contributors: that understanding power—its sources, mechanics, and consequences—is essential to making sense of the political world.

This volume brings together a diverse group of scholars, each contributing from their own disciplinary traditions, geographic perspectives, and methodological approaches. We explore power not just as a formal attribute of institutions but as a dynamic force that circulates through ideologies, economic systems, cultural narratives, and social movements. Our intent is not to offer a singular theory of power, but to provide a multifaceted account of how power is organized, exercised, and contested across different contexts.

The book is organized into three broad sections. The first, Structures of Power, examines the institutional and systemic frameworks—states, constitutions, bureaucracies, and international organizations—that stabilize and reproduce authority. The second section, Strategies of Power, investigates how actors—both state and non-state—mobilize resources, narratives, and networks to pursue political goals. Finally, Struggles over Power centers on resistance, dissent, and the grassroots efforts to challenge domination and inequality.

We were motivated by both academic and real-world developments. The current era is marked by dramatic political upheavals, from democratic backsliding and authoritarian resurgence to unprecedented forms of digital activism and transnational mobilization. These events have not only transformed political life but also challenged political science to re-examine its assumptions and methods. This book is, in part, our collective response.

Each chapter stands on its own, but taken together, the contributions offer a broad yet nuanced understanding of the anatomy of power. We hope this volume will serve as a resource for students, scholars, and practitioners seeking to deepen their understanding of political life in all its complexity.

We extend our gratitude to the institutions, mentors, and colleagues who supported this project. Above all, we thank our readers—for engaging critically with this work and, in doing so, participating in the very dynamics of power that this book seeks to illuminate.