In each state, there are different types of power that can be classified based on various criteria. For example, if we focus on resources, it is possible to isolate economic, informative, social, spiritual and even coercive power, which is based on force. Usually, economic levers dominate others, since they imply a distribution of wealth. Social criteria are closely connected with economic criteria, since those who have economic levers of managing society often regulate social issues as well. The media is often referred to as the “fourth power,” because they can manipulate public consciousness through their influence . Structures that seek to establish control over society through physical force use coercive methods.
Studying the interaction of the subject and object of power, we can distinguish the following types of power: totalitarian, when the ruling state elite fully owns and controls all areas of people's lives, regarding them as a sphere of influence; authoritarian, giving people a certain, but clearly regulated freedom in such matters of little importance to the ruling elite, such as family; liberal, which practically does not interfere in business, and, finally, democratic.
If we consider the types of power in terms of their social base, then we can distinguish polyarchy (the dominance of many people and organizations); oligarchy (when financiers and industrialists rule the society); plutocracy (domination of the clan rich top); theocracy (the clergy has not only moral, but also secular and legislative control over society); partocracy (the rule of a party), which, in essence, is not much different from theocracy, except perhaps by the secularism of the set principles for building a "bright future"; and ochlocracy (i.e. the power of the crowd). By the degree of distribution of power, it is possible to isolate the mega-level (international and intergovernmental organizations), for example, the European Union, NATO and the UN; macro level, that is, the presence of central government bodies; mesoscale - regional authorities that are subordinate to the central, but at the same time have broad autonomy in their actions (for example, federal subjects in the Russian Federation, states in the USA); micro level (influence in parties, other organizations and associations).
But the types of power can be classified in another way, based on the definition of its subjects. These may be the state, parties, various organizations, the army, the family, and the like. For quite some time, the prevailing opinion in science was that state and political power are identical concepts. Now the question of the ratio of these components continues to cause many discussions among scientists. After all, the state is not the only and even the main carrier of political dominance. Political parties, non-governmental organizations, ruling oligarchs lobbying, bureaucracy, charismatic leaders and even the crowd (in conditions of political chaos) can also be subjects of political pressure.
Types of state power can be built on the principle of vertical (center - regions - cities and areas), and if we consider them "horizontally", then we get the traditional division into legislative, executive and judicial. The political phenomenon in its significance is much wider than the state one. Many scientists are inclined to see in it two components: state and public. It turns out that state power is one of the political components. As for public influence, it is formed due to the activity of parties, public non-governmental organizations, independent media and even public opinion.
One of the main functions of management is to maintain social integrity by building priorities that correspond to the values of a given culture, as well as following them; and, of course, the realization of the interests and needs of various social groups and strata. Thus, the types of political power - state and public - interact closely, ensuring the stability of the entire social organism.