Ideology of power and the Power of ideology

Abstract

“Power” as defined by physics must coexist with time. On the other hand, the power of money, state, ideology, etc. is the creations of human beings. Bertrand Russell even believed that the laws of social dynamics can only be stated in terms of such power.1 This article examines the intimate relationships between power as defined by science, and these other kinds of power. Going by the history of the last two hundred years, it would appear that any concentration of economic and ideological power increases the level of political and social disorder in society, a dynamic very similar to what is observed in nature. According to Russell social power could be variously classified – naked, kingly, revolutionary, and so on. Referring to manifestations of social power, like economic power or propaganda, he said that “Power, like energy, must be regarded as …passing from…one of its forms into…other”.