Full Idea
The notion of 'causal power' is not to be analysed in terms of causation; if anything, the relationship is the reverse.
Gist of Idea
We should explain causation by powers, not powers by causation
Source
Alexander Bird (Nature's Metaphysics [2007], 4.2.1 n71)
Book Reference
Bird,Alexander: 'Nature's Metaphysics' [OUP 2007], p.71
A Reaction
It is a popular view these days to take causation as basic (as opposed to the counterfactual account), but I prefer this view. If anything is basic in nature, it is the dynamic force in the engine room, which is the active powers of substances.