Power, for All

To make a difference in the world, you need to understand the dynamics of power.

The use and abuse of power fascinate people. Countless stories – Aladdin, The Lord of the Rings, the Harry Potter chronicles – focus on the allure and pitfalls of power. Power is central to every human endeavor, from interpersonal relationships and workplace conflicts to international relations and the behavior of businesses.

Most people harbor significant misconceptions about how power works and how individuals or groups acquire it. These fallacies can impede recognizing and averting abuses of power. They also impede people’s efforts to gain more control over their lives and to advocate for change in society.

Control over resources is the foundation of power.

Having power means you can shape other people’s behavior, either through persuasion or coercion. You gain power by controlling access to the resources people want or need.

How much power you hold depends on whether the other party can find alternative suppliers of those valued resources.

The need for ...