Full Idea
Power in Western capitalism was denounced by the Marxists as class domination; but the mechanics of power in themselves were never analysed.
Gist of Idea
Marxists denounced power as class domination, but never analysed its mechanics
Source
Michel Foucault (Truth and Power (interview) [1976], p.117)
Book Reference
Foucault,Michel: 'Essential Works 1954-1984 3: Power', ed/tr. Faubion,J [Penguin 2002], p.117
A Reaction
This seems to pinpoint Foucault's distinctive contribution to political thought, and it makes him one of the most interesting thinkers in the area. It is a good approach to history, but also to the role of power as a background to conventional thought.