Power Dynamics

Every relationship has pre-established power dynamics. Employees and bosses relate differently then players on the same sports team. Communities and their governments relate differently than family members. Parents and children relate differently than all the cousins.

I’m particularly interested in the relationship between people and institutions. While institutions are made up of people, those who represent the institution also represent the infrastructure and resources the institution brings to bear on any situation. While individual people rarely have the resources, connections, or infrastructure to compare.

This doesn’t mean individuals are always at a disadvantage, but it does mean that in any interaction between an institution and an individual the pre-established power dynamic is uneven. This doesn’t mean it’s bad. In fact, it can be used for good. What can’t happen is that the power dynamic be ignored.