Difference between revisions of "unequal power relationship"

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(more on UPRs that do not, and which do, lead to UPRs)
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An '''unequal power relationship''' is a [[relationship]] in which some have the [[power]] to control others' actions and in which such power is not evenly [[power distribution|distributed]] among all involved. When unequal power relationships become widespread, [[power network]]s may form.
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Here's what equal power does.
 
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=== UPRs that do not lead to power networks ===
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==== entirely voluntary/temporary ====
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However, not all unequal power relationships will result in the formation of a power network.  A relationship that is entirely [[voluntary]] and preserves the [[right to secede]] (e.g. a healthy [[BDSM]] relationship) will not likely form a long term unequal power relationship. 
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==== isolated and/or secret ====
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If the unequal power relation is sporadic and not widespread and reinforced by some [[social conditioning]], no persistent power network can be formed either.  An isolated coercive unequal power relationship (e.g. a [[capitalist]] secretly [[kidnapping]] and [[slavery|enslaving]] a [[worker]]) will not form a power network, since these cannot operate in secret.
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==== familial ====
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The [[human family]] is probably the most basic example of an unequal power relationship:  [[human child]]ren stand necessarily in an unequal position relative to their [[human parent]]s.  One of those parents may have some profound power over the other reinforced by law, but, this does not necessarily mean that everyone enabled by that power or help from society is going to form a single [[power network]] to retain it and extend it.  Families are more different in how they handle power than they are similar.
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=== UPRs that lead to PNs ===
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==== employment ====
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In [[Marxist]] discourse the [[wage slave]] is the most basic unequal power relationship, and leads directly to the power network called the [[economic class]].  Of these the most difficult to organize but most potentially powerful is the [[proletariat]] who seek to abolish master-slave relations in the economy (perhaps confining them to the bedroom or whatever).
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==== police/military ====
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The [[command hierarchy]] of [[police]], [[paramilitary]] or [[military]] forces necessarily form a power network and must ally with other such to define and control [[property]] - that is their sole purpose, according to [[Marxist]] discourse, and the protection of "[[human rights]]" is merely a cover concern.
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==== guardianship of a commons ====
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The commitment to protect something or someone creates an unequal power relationship between the person who makes the commitment and all those not committed, who might exploit or harm or destroy what is protected.  Those can choose to take or harm or attack what is protected, while the guardian can't leave - they are forced by their own commitment to stay and suffer the difficulties.
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It is this defensive relationship and common trauma that can turn [[social network]]s into a common [[power network]] like a [[non-governmental organization]], [[political party]] or a [[civil disobedience]] group or (looser) [[anarchization]] of like-minded defenders of a [[commons]].
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Essentially, if no power network is formed, the guardians will necessarily fail when their attackers succeed in forming one - to for instance overwhelm the guardians one by one to take what they are protecting.
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Revision as of 19:36, 28 July 2006

Here's what equal power does.