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Single Idea 21133

[catalogued under 24. Political Theory / C. Ruling a State / 1. Social Power]

Full Idea

Is it not the supreme exercise of power to get another or others to have the desires you want them to have - that is, to secure their compliance by controlling their thoughts and desires?

Gist of Idea

Supreme power is getting people to have thoughts and desires chosen by you

Source

Steven Lukes (Power: a Radical View (2nd ed) [2005], p.27), quoted by Andrew Shorten - Contemporary Political Theory 06

A Reaction

This seems to be beyond dispute. When the operation is successful, those under your power not only do not need to be intimidated, but they don't even need to be guided. But if two people are in perfect harmony, which one has the power?

Book Reference

Shorten,Andrew: 'Contemporary Political Theory' [Palgrave 2016], p.152