一人对他人行使权力,或一集团对另一集团行使权力,是所有社会基本和惯常的特征。处于从属地位者因之受到强制,因之蒙羞甚至有时因之受到生命威胁;只要条件许可,许多人都会竭力避之。掌权者或试图掌权者之间,也经常为他们的权力范围和对他们从属者的控制而彼此争执,这种争执的潜在后果是破坏性的。换言之,权力既是人类社 The exercise of power by one person against another, or the exercise of power by one group over another, is a basic and customary feature of all societies. Subordinates are subject to coercion, shame, and sometimes life threatening; many are likely to avoid it whenever conditions permit. The potential consequences of such disputes are destructive, often between power holders or those trying to power, and they often dispute each other’s sphere of authority and control over their subordinates. In other words, power is both human society