Power
Energy, force, and authority. (Often corrupting those with it. Seducing the rest.)
How We Say It
powยทษr
Where It Comes From
Old French pooir โ to be able. From Latin potere โ to be able. Related to potent, possible, potency. Power in its root is simply capacity โ ability to do. The coercive dimension โ power over โ is an elaboration.
How It's Been Used
Political science distinguishes hard power (military, economic coercion) from soft power (cultural influence, attraction). Michel Foucault's analysis of power as diffuse, productive, and operating through norms rather than commands challenged the state-centered view. 'Speaking truth to power' assumes they are opposites; Foucault would question that.