Power vacuum

A power vacuum - a combination of power ( = power, violence, strong influence, strong group or government) and vacuum ( = unfilled space or time ) - is when in a social group, institution or organization (such as government, family, economy mode) is not exercised, the expected and / or agreed management over a longer period.

Causes

There are many possible factors that cause a power vacuum, increase or prolong. e.g. weakness of character (s), illness, absence (even death) leading up to the start of the power vacuum person. As long as the power relations are unclear, this social group is missing a conducting and directing structure. It may come to an inefficient and desorientiertem action and / or to power struggles for redistribution of power.

Another cause of unclear power relations are of power or change of government or the role of a powerful position without a succession plan to take.

Examples

• A well-known example from German history is the so-called interregnum after the deposition of the Emperor Frederick II in 1245 until the election of Rudolf I in 1273rd
• On May 14, 1948, British troops leaving Jerusalem, the seat of the previous mandate management. Officially, the power was passed neither Jewish nor Arab representatives to - there was a power vacuum. (see also Palestine war )

Avoidance

Options, the risk of a power vacuum must be reduced:

• In the case of temporary absence: a unique substitution rules
• In case of illness and / or of character Weakness legitimate procedures for re-allocation of management responsibilities (election process) or assistance to support the leadership ability (example: Social-educational family assistance, educational counseling )
• In case of death: a unique successor or new elections rules