A superior’s impotent superiority is a precondition for subordinate power.

Evidence

It is of the essence of certain forms that they entail complete reciprocity—economic exchange, personal adornment, and crowd behavior51 are examples. In other forms the reciprocity may be more or less symmetrical. In some cases a relationship gives the appearance of being wholly one-way—power, for example—but closer inspection reveals that in some measure ego is being influenced by, as well as influencing, alter. — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 77 (#expands, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Power chains exist only when a superior can command a subordinate’s power over others; Dominance is maintained through unstable equilibria that concede some subordinate interests; In organizations power generates its own countervailing power. (+1 more)

Related

• Even power relationships involve reciprocal influence between parties (similarity 0.84)
• Power chains exist only when a superior can command a subordinate’s power over others (similarity 0.82)
• Physical force constitutes power because it asymmetrically orders parties’ relative preferences (similarity 0.80)

Broader Connections

• Even power relationships involve reciprocal influence between parties #expands (0.65) — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 77
• Dominance is maintained through unstable equilibria that concede some subordinate interests #expands (0.60)
• In organizations power generates its own countervailing power. #expands (0.55)