A Study on Power Relations in Succession : A Conversation Analysis Approach to the Study of Power

Abstract: This study investigates how power relations are organised in conversation between two sets of characters from the HBO-series Succession. The aim has been to analyse how power can be exercised, shifted or struggled over in conversation. The main method has been conversation analysis; particularly Hutchby’s methods and concepts (2013) have been applied both for this study’s use of the concept of power and for this study’s understanding of argumentative structures and Action-Opposition sequences in conversation. There has also been a significant focus on swearing, especially with the first research question, where the instances of swearing were analysed in terms of their function and type and whether they contributed to a shift in power relations. The study found asymmetrical relations of power with both sets of characters and that one can use the conversational possibilities at one’s disposal to exercise, resist or shift the power that is omnipresent in all contexts. The findings supported the theory that the second position in an argumentative structure generally has more power. However, the findings also suggested ways in which this can be avoided, for example by using the practical implications of one’s statement in particular contexts to overpower the opposition or to selectively choose which counter statements or questions to respond to to control the outcome of the conversation.