Absolute power stays marginal when no choice-situations exist

Evidence

Conflicts and conflict-laden binary schematizations are morally discredited. The postulated absolute power here remains as a minor form of power, because one does not have available any choice-situations in which it could intervene. — Niklas Luhmann, Trust and Power, 635

Categorization

• XREF: Luhmann’s claim that unmediated absolute power has nowhere to intervene explains why Stevens’s complete devotion to Darlington never translates into real influence — pure deference yields no power.