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Write 2 pages with APA style on Communication class. Coercive Power in the Lion King Movie Power refers to a force of influence and ity. The five common sources of power include: expert power, positional power, reward power, personal power and coercive power (Robbins and De Cenzo 142). Coercive power refers to the ability to influence other by use of sanctions or any other negative action. Thus, coercive power is based on fear. A person with coercive power has the ability to force others to comply with an order thorough the threat of punishment. However, according to Robbins and De Cenzo (146) coercive power tends to lead to short-term compliance. In the long run, such power produces dysfunctional behavior. The film The Lion King is replete with scenes that exhibit the use of coercive power. This is evident in the way Simba forcefully grabs the throne of Pride Lands and uses coercive power in his rule.

Following the death of Musafa, Scar takes over the throne of Pride Lands. Under his leadership, he exhibits a high degree of coercive power. For instance, Zazu is confined to a bone cage singing while Scar lazily lies about chewing on bones (“Internet Movie Database”).when Zazu complains of his predicament and mentions that he never experienced the same under Mufasa, Scar scolds him and reminds him that the law requires them never to mention Mufasa’s name. Meanwhile, as Shenzi, Banzai and Ed complain about scarcity of food and water as well as the refusal of lionesses to hunt, Scar solution to them is to eat Zulu. Thus, it is evident that coercive power results in an atmosphere of insecurity and fear.

When Scar confronts and asks Sarabi why the lionesses had refused to hunt, Sarabi answers that the herds had opted to leave Pride Rock. She then compares him to Mufasa. This angers Scar, who cruelly hits Sarabi. This typifies the fact that coercive power reduces people’s satisfaction with their jobs and therefore leads to lack of commitment and general withdrawal.

Another instance where coercive power is manifested in the movie is the scene of Simba’s arrives in the Pride Land to take his rightful throne. On his arrival, Simba confronts Scar, and demands that he steps down from the throne or fight. The use of the threat of violence clearly depicts the use of coercive power. Even so, Scar retreats back by prompting Simba to confess who was responsible for Mufasa’s death (“Internet Movie Database”). In this regard, Simba confessed that he was responsible for Mufasa’s death, though it was accidental.

This prompts Mufasa to use coercive power so as to maintain the throne. Thus, he accuses Scar of murder and forcefully pushes him back up to the edge of the Pride Rock. Simba then slips over and dangles by his paws. There is a sudden turn of events following Scar’s confession to Simba that he actually killed Mufasa (“Internet Movie Database”). This ignites Samba’s anger. He leaps over the edge and pins Scar. He compels Scar to confess to the lionesses the truth about Mufasa or be chocked to death. This prompts an immediate fight between the lions and the hyenas.

This does not however deter Scar from further exhibiting his coerciveness. Thus, he stages a serious attack against Simba. Even so, Simba pushes Scar down the rock face and returns back to the lionesses to take over the throne. This is an indication that coercion as a source of power rarely makes a good leader. Thus, the one who rules with an iron fist behind his back makes establishes poor working relationships and lack of respect. This is what made Simba unpopular unlike his predecessor and successor.

Works Cited

Robbins, Stephens, and De Cenzo, David. Fundamentals of Management . 7th ed. New Jersey:

Prentice Hall, 2010. 56-59. Print.

“The Lion King.” Internet Movie Database n.pag. Internet Movie Database. Web. 7 Oct 2012.

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