第5章 The Two Sides of Power
PowerandLove 作者：AdamKahane 投票推薦 加入書簽 留言反饋
toexinwhereihavearrivedinmyunderstandingofpowerandloveandsocialchange,ihavetoexinhowistarted.
igrewupinmontrendstudiedphysicsatmcgilluniversity.inthesummerof1981,asiwasfinishingmyundergraduatedegree,iattendedameetingofthepugwashconferenceonscienceandworldaffairsinbanff,alberta,whereiheardaspeechaboutthecrucialenergyandenvironmentalchallengesarisingoutoftheincreasinplexityandfullness-ofpeopleandideasandthings-oftheworld.idecidedtoshiftmystudiesfromphysicaltosocialsciences,andiwentontodoagraduatedegreeineconomicsandpublicpolicyattheuniversityofcaliforniaatberkeley.aftergraduation,iworkedatavarietyofresearchinstitutionsinnorthamerica,europe,andasia,andtheninthecorporatenningdepartmentofpacificgasandelectripanyinsanfrancisco.
myfatherhadtaughtmethevalueofindustriousness-ofdoingmyjobwell,whateverthatjobwas-andofself-determinationandself-improvement.hisfavoritestorywasofhenrydavidthoreau,whohadlivedinthewoodsatwaldenpondandaftertwoyearshaeoutwithhisaxesharperthanwhenhehadgonein.
iwasyoungandambitiousandkeentomakemymarkontheworld.
generativepower
in1988,wheniwastwenty-sevenyearsold,imovedfromsanfranciscotolondontotakeajobintheglobalstrategydepartmentoftheenergpanyroyaldutchshell.whatilovedmostaboutworkingforshellwasthepower.ienjoyedgettingthediplomaticmemos:"thegovernmentofc?ted''ivoirehasreiteratedtheirrequestthatwedesistfromreferringtothemastheivorycoast."ioncegotamistakenphonecaskingmewherea$300millionpaymentforafueloildeliveryshouldbedeposited.ilikedshell''spracticalroleinprovidingtheworldwithenergy:thpanyinvestedhundredsofmillionsofdorsayearinresearchanddevelopment,drilledforoilthousandsoffeetunderwater,andproducedfuelsbyheatingoilsandsandcoolingnaturalgas.ireveledinbeingasmallcoginthisbigandimportantmachine.
iwasatshettheheightofcapitalistconfidence.theberlinwallhadjustfallen,theinteboomwasstarting,francisfukuyamahadpublished"theendofhistory,"tomwolfewaswritingaboutmanhattanfinanciersas"mastersoftheuniverse,"andmargaretthatcherwaspronouncingthat"thereisnoalternative"totheanglo-americanfreeenterprisemodel.thedominantculturalmemewasthatinallspheres-economic,political,social,legal,international,intellectual-acontestamonpetingpowersproducedthebestoue.[11]frommyofficeinalondonskyscraper,itseemedtomethatifeverybodyjustdidtheirjobandpushedforwardtheirpart-engagedincivilized,manlyjostling-thewholewouldgrowandprosper.
myexperienceatshell,andelsewhereintheworldofbusiness,wasofanalmostsingle-mindedemphasisonthepragmaticuseofpower-thekindofpowerthataformerphysicsstudentcouldrecognize.itseemedtomethatbusinesspeopleunderstoodpowerthesamewaymartinlutherkingjr.did:"powerproperlyunderstoodisnothingbuttheabilitytoachievepurpose."[12]theiractionsseemedtoordwithpaultillich''sexnationofpower''sgenerativeroot:"thedriveofeverythinglivingtorealizeitself,withincreasingintensityandextensity."thisdrivecanbeseenintheforceofagrowingseed:theforcethat"guerrigardeners"employtoturnvacanturbanlotsintoparks,whentheysurreptitiouslyntseedsthatbreakthroughtheconcrete.
atshellicouldseehowmyowndriveforself-realization,alongwiththatofmycolleagues,producedfuriouslpetitiveintellectualcreativityandgrowth.theheadofourdepartment,ariedegeus,wroteabookcalledthelivinpany.thishelpedmealsoseehowthpany''slivingdriveforself-realization,alongwiththatofothepanies,producedfuriouslpetitivmercialcreativityandgrowth.[13]
inallofthisisawthegenerativeaspectofpower:theuniversaldriveto"getone''sjobdone."powerexpressesourpurposefulness,wholeness,andagency.althoughpoweristhedrivetorealizeone''sself,theeffectofpowergoesbeyondone''sself.powerishowwemakeadifferenceintheworld;itisthemeansbywhichnewsocialrealitiesarecreated.withoutpower,nothingnewgrows.
atshelliwasheadofthestrategygroupthatconstructedscenarios-usiblealternativestories-ofsocial-political-environmentalcontextsinwhichthpanymightfinditself.in1991,pieterleroux,aprofessorattheleft-winguniversityofthewesterncapeinsouthafrica,contactedmebecausehewantedtousetheshellmethodologytohelpagroupofsouthafricanoppositionleadersdevelopastrategyforeffectingthetransitionawayfromapartheid.nelsonmandhadjustbeenreleasedfromtwenty-sevenyearsinprison,andthenegotiationsbetweentheoppositionandthewhiteminoritygovernmenthadstartedinearnest.leroux''sprojectsoundedinterestingandworthwhiletome,andmyshellbosseswerehappy,afteryearsofbeingvilifiedfornothavingdivestedfromsouthafrica,fortheopportunitytorebuildthpany''srtionshipswiththeopposition.soinseptember1991,itraveledtocapetowntofacilitatethefirstworkshopofwhatbecameknownasthemontfleurscenarioexercise.[14]
whatifoundexhratinginmeetingtheseleaders-frompoliticalparties,tradeunionsmunityorganizations,universities,anpanies-wastheirpowerfulpurposefulness.everyoneofthemwamittedtoaddressing,fromtheirparticridologdinstitutionalbase,southafrica''stoughchallenges,andtheyhadalreadyrealizedthattheycouldbesessfulonlyiftheyworkedtogether.whitebusinessmanjohannliebenberterremembered,withsurpriseandpleasure,hisconversationswiththeckleaderswhohadhithertobeenhisadversaries:"thiswasnewtome,especiallyhowopen-mindedtheywere.thesewerenotpeoplewhosimplysaid:''look,thisishowitisgoingtobewhenwetakeoveroneday.''theywerepreparedtosay:''hey,howwoulditbe?let''sdiscussit.''"[15]ifeltexcitedtoyapartinthisimportantsocialchangeprocess.
whatisawintheseworkshops,andthroughthewindowtheyprovidedmeontothedynamicsofsouthafrica''sextraordinarytransition,changedmyunderstandingofwhatwaspossibleintheworld.isawthatateamofleadersfromacrossasocialsystemcould,eveninthemosplex,conflictual,andchallengingofcontexts,exercisetheirpowercollectivelytochangethatsystemforthebetter.iwasinspiredbywhatiwaslearningaboutthisgenerativepower.
whatisawalsochangedmyunderstandingofwhatwaspossibleforme.isawthatihadajobtodo-awayofmakingadifferenceintheworld-insupportingsuchteams.in1993,iresignedfromshendmovedtosouthafrica.sincethenihavebeendoingthiskindofworkthereandelsewhere.
degenerativepower
howdowetonoticesomethingthatwearenotnoticing?iwasonceworkinginmyoffice,andmysunsseswereinmyshirtpocket.iwentintoadarkclosetandleanedovertopickupsomesuppliesnearthefloor,wheniheardasoundthaticouldn''tce.asiwentout,iunconsciouslyfiledawaythatanomalousevent-theunexinedsound-andwentbacktowhatiwasdoingterisawthatihadmiscedmysunssesandbeganlookingaroundforthem.thenirememberedtheunexinedsoundandrealizedithadbeenthesoundofmysunssesfallingoutofmypocketontotheclosetfloor.
duringthefirstyearsafterileftshendstartedworkingasafacilitatorofsocialchangeteams,ikepthearingsoundsofasecondkindofpowerthatididn''tknowhowtointerpret.myfirstinterpretationofwhathadhappenedatmontfleur-theinterpretationthatiwasworkingfrom-wasthattheteamhaddecidedthattheirpower,theirdrivetorealizethemselvesasindividualsandasanation,couldmoreeffectivelybeexercisedworkingwithratherthanagainstoneanother.theyhadusedfourbirdimagestosummarizetheirsharedunderstandingofthedifferentwaysthefutureofthenationmightunfold:an"ostrich"scenarioofwhitedenial,ameduck"scenarioofanoverconstrainednewckgovernment,an"icarus"scenarioofthenewgovernmentflyingtoohightoofast,anda"mingos"scenarioofrisingslowlytogether.butwhenpallojordan,oneoftheintellectualleadersoftheafricannationalcongress,heardthesescenariospresentedatapartymeeting,hethoughttheywereridiculouslyna?veabouttheessentiallyviolentdynamicsofpowerinthesouthafricancontext."whatisallthisaboutducksandmingos?"heaskedincredulously."theonlybirdsthatmatterherearehawksandsparrows!"
itisnotsurprisingthatjordanandihaddifferentperspectivesonpower.icamefromapeacefndunfetteredbackground,andihadencounteredsouthafricaforthefirsttimein1991,oneyearafterthehopefultransitionalnegotiationshadstartedandseveralyearsafterthehopeless,violentshesbetweenthegovernmentandtheoppositioninthe1970sand1980s.jordanisck,whichinapartheidsouthafricameanshegrewupasasecond-ssperson.hehadspentdecadesinexileworkingfortheafricannationalcongressandhadonlyjustreturnedtothecountrytoengagedirectlyinthesetoughnegotiations.powerlooksdifferenttopeoplewhohavetostruggleforit.
nowirealizedwhatihadbeenhearing:powerhastwosides.thegenerativesideofpoweristhepower-tothatpaultillichreferstoasthedrivetoself-realization.thedegenerative,shadowsideispower-over-thestealingorsuppressionoftheself-realizationofanother.tillichrecognizesbothsides:"poweractualizesitselfthroughforceanpulsion.butpowerisneithertheonenortheother.itisbeing,actualizingitselfovernon-being.itusesandabusepulsioninordertooveethisthreat.itusesandabusesforceinordertoactualizeitself.butitisneithertheonenortheother."[16]power-overabusesforceanpulsiontosuppressoroppressordominateanother.
likepallojordan,mywifedorothyisckandgrewupinsouthafricaandwasinvolvedforyearsintheanti-apartheidstruggle.wheterwevisitedguatemtogether,shenoticedsomethingthatididn''t.thepositionofaboriginalpeoplethereremindedherofcksinsouthafrica:theyweretreatedasiftheywereinvisible.nottoseeanotherperson,ortoseeherorhimasanonperson,istheextrememanifestationofpower-over.
themosmonunderstandingofpowerisaspower-over.whenstephenlukes,aprofessorofpoliticsandsociologyatnewyorkuniversity,wrotehisssic1974bookpower:aradicalview,heequatedpowerwithdomination.butthirtyyearter,inthesecondedition,lukesrevisedhisview:"itwasamistaketodefinepowerbysayingthat''aexercisespoweroverbwhenaaffectsbinamannercontrarytob''sinterests.''powerasdominationisonlyonespeciesofpower."[17]power-overisasubsetofpower-to.
degenerativepower-overarisesoutofgenerativepower-to.wheniamexercisingmypower-toandifeelmyselfbumpingupagainstyouexercisingyours,andifinthisconflictihavethecapacitytoprevailoveryou,thenicaneasilyturntoexercisingpoweroveryou.mydrivetorealizemyselfslipseasilyintovaluingmyself-realizationaboveyours,andthenintobelievingarrogantlythatiammoredeservingofself-realization,andthenintoadvancingmyself-realizationevenifitimpedesyours.
manywhitesinsouthafricavaluedtheirself-realizationabovethatofothers,andtheydeployedanideology-apart-heid-tojustifytheirbehavior.wecanseeanalogousdynamicsacrossracesorethnicgroupsorssesorgendersineverysociety.thus,theseductivelybeautifulfaceofpower-tomorphs,asinahorrormovie,intotheviciouslyterriblefaceofpower-over.
onceihadseenthetwosidesofpowerstarklyinsouthafrica,icouldrecognizethemmoreeasilyelsewhere.afterileftshell,iconsultedtoseverapaniesandbusinessassociationsinhouston,texas.ifoundthebusinesscultureofhoustonunusundfascinating.thebusinesspeopletherewereunconstrainedintheirenthusiasmforindependent,unregted,entrepreneurialpower-to.thecan-dopropertydevelopersimetownedprivatpanieswithnameslike"johnsmithinterests,"whichiunderstoodtorepresentanunabashedcelebrationoftheadvancingofanindividual''sowninterestsandpower.
thesesamebusinesspeoplewerealsoenthusiasticintheirsupportforvoluntaryphnthropyandcivicengagement.theyweremoreawarethanpeopleihadmetelsewhereoftheirroleintheevolutionoftheirsocialreality.houstonhadgrownfrombeingthetwenty-firsrgestcityintheunitedstatesin1940tofourtrgestin1990.ithadbewhatitwasnotbyident,butastheresultoftheintentionaldecisionsmadebypeoplesuchasthemselves,andtheyfeltaresponsibilitytocontinuethispublicwork.theideologyofhoustonbusinesspeoplepromotedindividualself-realizationinalignmentwithcollectiveself-realization.
inthimunity,theveryepitomeofpower-towaskey,thefounderandchairmanofenron,the$100billionnaturalgas,electricity,andtelmunicationpany.enronhadbeennamed"america''smostinnovativpany"byfortunemagazinesixyearsinarow,anywasadmiredasanentrepreneurialgenius.atshell,youngstaffwhoconsideredthemselvestobesophisticatedstrategistswereinaweofenron''sdealmaking.thpanywasoneofhouston''sbiggestemployersandcharitabledonors,andithadsponsoredapoprnewdowntownstadium.wheyvisitedourhoustonworkshops,theotherbusinessleaderstreatedhimlikeagodysymbolizedthevirtuesofthefreemarketeerwhoseunfetteredpower-toproducedbothprivatewealthandpublicgood.
in2001,ichairedabusinessleaders''dialogueattheaspeninstituteincolorado.amongtheparticipants,whoincludedinternationalcorporate,government,tradeunion,andnonprofitleadersywasthestarwhomeveryonewantedtomeet.bythistime,storiesaboutenron''smalfeasancewerebeginningtocircte.themostprominentusationagainstenronwasthatithadillegallymaniptedcalifornia''selectricitymarket,andcaliforniaattorneygeneralbilllockyerwascallingfoytobeprosecuted.
duringthesesessions,onlyoneotherparticipant,atradeunionist,everchallengey.everyoneelseconspicuouslydeferredtohim.ithoughtthatiywassopowerfndwealthy,hedeservedtobelookedupto,andalsothatifiwaspolitetohim,imightbenefitfromhirgesse.
oneyearaftertheaspeninstitutemeeting,enronderedbankruptcy,andfiveyearsafterywasfoundguiltyoftenchargesoffraudandconspiracy.thpany''scopsewipedoutmorethan$60billioninshareholderinvestmentand6,000employeejobs,andledtothedissolutionofarthurandersen,itsauditor.
exercisingcreative,entrepreneurial,profitablepower-toisnothardifyoupretend,andareallowedtopretend,thatyouliveinanunregtedterranullius.buyandhisenroncolleaguesdidnotliveinsuchanemptyworld,andindefraudingmillionsofpeople,theyseverelyunderminedthosepeople''spower-toy''semphaticrejectionofrulesthatgovernthecollective,asmanifestedinhisdisinterest(enabledbyourdeference)inthesmallmatterofourmeeting''sgroundrulesandthrgermatterofu.sw,illustratedhisdisconnected,degenerativepower-over.
theirresponsiblepower-overexercisedbyenronexecutivesforeshadowedtheglobalfinancialcopseof2008.businessjournalistmarkhaineswasflummoxedwhenthecrisisbroke:"weassumethattheindividualpursuinghisorherownbestinterestwillresultinthemaximumbenefitforsocietyasawhole-andthatcertainlyhastobequestionednow."[19]theunderstandingthatihadimbibedinlondontwentyyearsearlier-thatasystemdrivenbythepower-toofthepartswouldproduceabeneficialresultforthewhole-wastragicallyipleteandinadequate.beforethisbecameapparent,however,iwastohaveotherexperiencesthatledmetomycurrentunderstandingofdegenerativepower.
when,aftermontfleur,ihadstartedworkingondifferenttoughchallengesindifferentcountries-power-overmanifestingininequityandinequality-icarriedwithmeacertainconfidencethaticamefromacountry,canada,thathadsessfullyoveeitsownsuchchallenges.soin2003iwastakenabacktofindmyselfinaconferenceroomatthedepartmentofjusticeinottawa,ontario,listeningtoagroupofleadersofgovernment,business,andaboriginal(nativeorfirstnations)organizationstalkabouttheirencounterswiththerealitiesofaboriginalpeopleincanada.
aswewentaroundthetableandheardeachperson''sstory-ofextraordinarilyhighlevelsofpoverty,addiction,andsuicide;decadesofabuseby"well-intentioned"governmentsandchurches;conflictsovertheextractionofondothernaturalresources;thousandsofstdandtreatydisputes-itbecameobvioustomethatididnoefromacountrythathadsessfullyoveesuchchallenges.mycolleagueursversteegensaysthatourmostimportantlearningenotsimplywhenweseetheworldanew,butspecificallywhenweseeourselves-andourroleincreatingtheworld-anew.[20]onthatdayisawthatiwaspartofasocietythatwasexercisingaterriblepower-over.
oneaspectofthiscanadiansituationwasthewidelyheldmentalmodelthataboriginalpeopleneededto"bedeveloped."thismodelhadbeeninstitutionalizedin,amongotherpractices,apolicyofaggressiveassimtionthatsincethe1850shadtakenchildrenawayfromtheirparentstobeeducatedinchurch-andstate-runresidentialschools.oneofthefoundersofresidentialschoolinginnorthamericacharacterizedhisapproachas"killtheindianandsavetheman."[21]residentialschoolingcreatedalegacyofphysical,emotional,sexual,andculturbuse.bythetimethstresidentialschoolincanadaclosedin1998,thispoweroveraboriginalpeoplehadbeenreplicatedforgenerations.
afterthismeetinginottawa,iandafewcolleaguesbeganworkingwithateamofnationalgovernmentandaboriginalleaderstotryoutanewwaytounstickthisstucksituation.wechoseasourentrypointtheextraordinarilyhighrateofsuicideamongaboriginalyouth:fivetimesthecanadianaverage.butafterfouryearsofon-and-offefforts,wehadhardlymovedforwardatall.wekeptrunningintoroadblocksrgeandsmall.atonepointwewerefrustratedintryingtmunicatewiththestaffofanaboriginal-runconferencecenter.inedaboutthistomyfriend,activistmichelgelobter,andhechidedme:"whyareyousurprisedthatoppressemunitiesexhibitseriousdys-functions?thesedysfunctionshavetoberecognizedanddealtwith;theyreinforceandmaintainoppressionbydiminishingthecapacityofthesmunitiestoheal."thedegenerativeimpactsofpower-overareresolutelypersistent.
ialsonoticedthatwithinourmicrocosmicprojectteam,weseededinre-creatingthestuckrtionshipsthatcharacterizedthemacrocosmweweretryingtochange.thegovernmentleaderswantedtoremainincontrndto"fix"theaboriginalproblem.theaboriginalleadersdidn''twanttobecontrolledorfixedordevelopedbyanyone.andthoseofuswhowereconsultantsdispassionatelykeptourselvesapartfromandabovethesituation.weallhadourowndifferentrolesandpowersandtrajectoriesofself-realization,whichneverreallymovedandneverreallymet.sowemadenoprogressonthechallengethatwehadsetouttoaddress.(onlter,whentheserolesandpowerrtionswereforcefullyrestructuredandownershipoftheprojectwastakenoverbyalocboriginamunity,didtheinitiativebegintomoveforward.)
incanada,asinsouthafricaandhouston,ihadbeenabletorecognizethesoundofpower-tomoreeasilythanthesoundofpower-overbecausetheformerresonatedmorestronglywithmyownprivilegedexperience.thenin2004igotatasteoftheexperienceoftheundersideofpower-over.mylondonpartnerzaidhassanandiwereinvitedtofacilitateaworkshopinmichiganforagroupofu.s.minorityactivistswhowererethinkingtheirstrategyforachievingracialequityinlightofthejust-issuedsupremecourtdecisionthatsharplylimitedaffirmativeaction.
iwasunsettledevenbeforethemeetingstarted.zaidismuslimandiamjewish,andontheneridehehadshownmeanarticleinanactivistmagazhatpointedouthowmanyoftheu.s.neoconservativesarejewish.healsoshowedmealettertotheeditorthathehadwritten,inwhichheacknowledgedhowcontentiousthisassertionwasbutdefendeditasinformativeandfair.westartedintoatensediscussion,afractalofthrgermuslim-jewishconflict,butthencutshortourargumenttogetreadyfortheworkshop.
withthisunresolvedtensionbetweenzaidandme,theworkshopstartedawkwardlyandgotworse.theparticipantswerefeelingbeatendownbytheregressionincivilrightsintheunitedstatesanddiscouragedaboutthepoorresultstheirexistingstrategieswereproducing.theydidn''tthinkmyleadershipofthemeeting,withmywhiteandforeigncolleagues,waslegitimate,andtheywereunhappywiththeprocesswewereusing.harshpowerstrugglesswirledaroundandwithintheroom.eventuallyitbecameobviousthatiwasn''twantedintheworkshopatall,andso,feelinghumiliated,igaveup.ileftthegrouptoleaditselfandwentbacktomyroom.
thatnightihadaterrifyingdream.agangwasharassingmemercilessly-crowdingandshovingandhittingme-andicouldn''tescape.eventuallyibecamesohopelessanddespairingthatipulledthepinoutofahandgrenadeandblewmyselfupwithallofthem:ibecameasuicidebomber.throughthisdreamiexperiencedtheterrible,debilitatingfeelingofbeingonthereceivingendofpower-over.
by2008,myunderstandingofthedynamicsofpowerandlovewastakingshapethroughsuchexperiencesandreflections.thenihadanotherencounterwithaboriginalissues,thistimeinaustralia.iwasinvitedtomelbournebyanaustralianaboriginalleadernamedpatrickdodson.heiswellknownforhisdecadesofvariedstruggles-mobilizations,negotiations,invocationswsuits-toaddressthechallengesfacedbyhispeople,andspecificallyforhiseffortstoachievereconciliationbetweenaboriginndnonab-originustralians.[22]heknowshowharditistomoveforwardonthesechallengesandwasn''tsurprisedbythckofprogressoftheeffortincanadainwhichihadbeeninvolved.
dodsonwantedmetocontributetoameetingthathewasconveningwithjohnsanderson,theformerchiefoftheaustralianarmy.theyweretryingtoconstructanewsetofagreements(includingconstitutionmendments)thatwould,morethan220yearsafterthearrivalofthesettlersand15yearsafterthehighcourtverdictthatoverruledterranullius,putthertionshipbetweenthesetwopeoplesonanequalfooting.
theeveningbeforeourmeetingsweretostart,iwalkedbyanoutdoorcinemaandfoundmyselfwatchingtwodocumentaries.thefirstwasthewhit,afilmaboutarcticwildlifeandthedangersitfacesfromglobalwarming.[23]thesecondwaskanyini,aboutanaustralianaboriginalleadernamedbobrandall,amemberofthe"stolengeneration"whoasachildhad(likemanycanadianchildren)beentakenawayfromhisfamilybythegovernment.[24]inkanyini,randarguesthatthecrisisinaboriginalsocietyoriginatedintheirhavingbeendispossessedandestrangedfromthefouraspectsoflifethatareessentialtosurvival:theirbeliefsystemow,theindorcountry,theirspirituality,andtheirfamilies."thepurposeoflifeistobepartofeverythingthatis,"hesaysinthefilm."youtakeawaymykanyini,myinterconnectedness,andi''mnothing.i''mdead."iwasstruckthatrandall''syearningwasthesameaspaultillich''slove:"thedrivetowardstheunityoftheseparated."
inthejuxtapositionofthesetwofilms,icouldnowseewhathappenswhenweemployourpowerwithoutlove.ourdestructionofaboriginalsocietiesworldwideandourheadlongrushtowardsthedestructionoftheecosystemsonwhichalloursocietiesdependarisefromourdisconnectionfromoneanotherandfromtheearth.environmentalistjuliabutterflyhillmadethesamepointindescribingherunlikelypartnershipwithsocictivistvanjones:"ibroughtthepiecethatwearenotseparatefromth.hispiecewasthatweneedtouplifteveryone.wewermittedtoseeinghowthosepiecesfittogether.wecouldseeunderneathallofitwastheideaofdisposability:theideathatyou''vegotdisposablepeople,adisposabl."[25]ifwepushawayorabandonoursenseofconnectionwithothers-ouracknowledgment,oursensitivity,ourlove-thereisnolimittothesadness,terror,andpainthatouruncheckedpowercanproduce.
wecanrecognizethisdegenerativephenomenonofpowerwithoutlovebecause,insomanycontextsandatsomanyscales,powerdominateslove.weseethisinourhomes,organizationsmunities,nations,andininternationffairs.patrickdodsontoldmeastoryaboutmichaellong,apopraustralianaboriginalsportsmanwhohadwalkedfrommelbouocanberratodrawattentiontothedesperatesituationofhispeople.longmetwithprimeministerjohnhowardandaskedhimtheanguishedquestion:"whereistheloveformypeople?"weallfeeltheanguishthatresultsfromthedeficitoflove.
loveiswhatmakespowergenerative
basedontheseexperiences,then,hereishowiunderstandthenatureofpoweranditsrtionshiptolove.powerhastwosides,onegenerativeandtheotherdegenerative.ourpowerisgenerativeandamplifyingwhenwerealizeourselveswhilelovingandunitingwithothers.ourpowerisdegenerativeandconstrain-ing-recklessandabusive,orworse-whenweoverlookordenyorcutoffourloveandunity.
igrewupinmontrendstudiedphysicsatmcgilluniversity.inthesummerof1981,asiwasfinishingmyundergraduatedegree,iattendedameetingofthepugwashconferenceonscienceandworldaffairsinbanff,alberta,whereiheardaspeechaboutthecrucialenergyandenvironmentalchallengesarisingoutoftheincreasinplexityandfullness-ofpeopleandideasandthings-oftheworld.idecidedtoshiftmystudiesfromphysicaltosocialsciences,andiwentontodoagraduatedegreeineconomicsandpublicpolicyattheuniversityofcaliforniaatberkeley.aftergraduation,iworkedatavarietyofresearchinstitutionsinnorthamerica,europe,andasia,andtheninthecorporatenningdepartmentofpacificgasandelectripanyinsanfrancisco.
myfatherhadtaughtmethevalueofindustriousness-ofdoingmyjobwell,whateverthatjobwas-andofself-determinationandself-improvement.hisfavoritestorywasofhenrydavidthoreau,whohadlivedinthewoodsatwaldenpondandaftertwoyearshaeoutwithhisaxesharperthanwhenhehadgonein.
iwasyoungandambitiousandkeentomakemymarkontheworld.
generativepower
in1988,wheniwastwenty-sevenyearsold,imovedfromsanfranciscotolondontotakeajobintheglobalstrategydepartmentoftheenergpanyroyaldutchshell.whatilovedmostaboutworkingforshellwasthepower.ienjoyedgettingthediplomaticmemos:"thegovernmentofc?ted''ivoirehasreiteratedtheirrequestthatwedesistfromreferringtothemastheivorycoast."ioncegotamistakenphonecaskingmewherea$300millionpaymentforafueloildeliveryshouldbedeposited.ilikedshell''spracticalroleinprovidingtheworldwithenergy:thpanyinvestedhundredsofmillionsofdorsayearinresearchanddevelopment,drilledforoilthousandsoffeetunderwater,andproducedfuelsbyheatingoilsandsandcoolingnaturalgas.ireveledinbeingasmallcoginthisbigandimportantmachine.
iwasatshettheheightofcapitalistconfidence.theberlinwallhadjustfallen,theinteboomwasstarting,francisfukuyamahadpublished"theendofhistory,"tomwolfewaswritingaboutmanhattanfinanciersas"mastersoftheuniverse,"andmargaretthatcherwaspronouncingthat"thereisnoalternative"totheanglo-americanfreeenterprisemodel.thedominantculturalmemewasthatinallspheres-economic,political,social,legal,international,intellectual-acontestamonpetingpowersproducedthebestoue.[11]frommyofficeinalondonskyscraper,itseemedtomethatifeverybodyjustdidtheirjobandpushedforwardtheirpart-engagedincivilized,manlyjostling-thewholewouldgrowandprosper.
myexperienceatshell,andelsewhereintheworldofbusiness,wasofanalmostsingle-mindedemphasisonthepragmaticuseofpower-thekindofpowerthataformerphysicsstudentcouldrecognize.itseemedtomethatbusinesspeopleunderstoodpowerthesamewaymartinlutherkingjr.did:"powerproperlyunderstoodisnothingbuttheabilitytoachievepurpose."[12]theiractionsseemedtoordwithpaultillich''sexnationofpower''sgenerativeroot:"thedriveofeverythinglivingtorealizeitself,withincreasingintensityandextensity."thisdrivecanbeseenintheforceofagrowingseed:theforcethat"guerrigardeners"employtoturnvacanturbanlotsintoparks,whentheysurreptitiouslyntseedsthatbreakthroughtheconcrete.
atshellicouldseehowmyowndriveforself-realization,alongwiththatofmycolleagues,producedfuriouslpetitiveintellectualcreativityandgrowth.theheadofourdepartment,ariedegeus,wroteabookcalledthelivinpany.thishelpedmealsoseehowthpany''slivingdriveforself-realization,alongwiththatofothepanies,producedfuriouslpetitivmercialcreativityandgrowth.[13]
inallofthisisawthegenerativeaspectofpower:theuniversaldriveto"getone''sjobdone."powerexpressesourpurposefulness,wholeness,andagency.althoughpoweristhedrivetorealizeone''sself,theeffectofpowergoesbeyondone''sself.powerishowwemakeadifferenceintheworld;itisthemeansbywhichnewsocialrealitiesarecreated.withoutpower,nothingnewgrows.
atshelliwasheadofthestrategygroupthatconstructedscenarios-usiblealternativestories-ofsocial-political-environmentalcontextsinwhichthpanymightfinditself.in1991,pieterleroux,aprofessorattheleft-winguniversityofthewesterncapeinsouthafrica,contactedmebecausehewantedtousetheshellmethodologytohelpagroupofsouthafricanoppositionleadersdevelopastrategyforeffectingthetransitionawayfromapartheid.nelsonmandhadjustbeenreleasedfromtwenty-sevenyearsinprison,andthenegotiationsbetweentheoppositionandthewhiteminoritygovernmenthadstartedinearnest.leroux''sprojectsoundedinterestingandworthwhiletome,andmyshellbosseswerehappy,afteryearsofbeingvilifiedfornothavingdivestedfromsouthafrica,fortheopportunitytorebuildthpany''srtionshipswiththeopposition.soinseptember1991,itraveledtocapetowntofacilitatethefirstworkshopofwhatbecameknownasthemontfleurscenarioexercise.[14]
whatifoundexhratinginmeetingtheseleaders-frompoliticalparties,tradeunionsmunityorganizations,universities,anpanies-wastheirpowerfulpurposefulness.everyoneofthemwamittedtoaddressing,fromtheirparticridologdinstitutionalbase,southafrica''stoughchallenges,andtheyhadalreadyrealizedthattheycouldbesessfulonlyiftheyworkedtogether.whitebusinessmanjohannliebenberterremembered,withsurpriseandpleasure,hisconversationswiththeckleaderswhohadhithertobeenhisadversaries:"thiswasnewtome,especiallyhowopen-mindedtheywere.thesewerenotpeoplewhosimplysaid:''look,thisishowitisgoingtobewhenwetakeoveroneday.''theywerepreparedtosay:''hey,howwoulditbe?let''sdiscussit.''"[15]ifeltexcitedtoyapartinthisimportantsocialchangeprocess.
whatisawintheseworkshops,andthroughthewindowtheyprovidedmeontothedynamicsofsouthafrica''sextraordinarytransition,changedmyunderstandingofwhatwaspossibleintheworld.isawthatateamofleadersfromacrossasocialsystemcould,eveninthemosplex,conflictual,andchallengingofcontexts,exercisetheirpowercollectivelytochangethatsystemforthebetter.iwasinspiredbywhatiwaslearningaboutthisgenerativepower.
whatisawalsochangedmyunderstandingofwhatwaspossibleforme.isawthatihadajobtodo-awayofmakingadifferenceintheworld-insupportingsuchteams.in1993,iresignedfromshendmovedtosouthafrica.sincethenihavebeendoingthiskindofworkthereandelsewhere.
degenerativepower
howdowetonoticesomethingthatwearenotnoticing?iwasonceworkinginmyoffice,andmysunsseswereinmyshirtpocket.iwentintoadarkclosetandleanedovertopickupsomesuppliesnearthefloor,wheniheardasoundthaticouldn''tce.asiwentout,iunconsciouslyfiledawaythatanomalousevent-theunexinedsound-andwentbacktowhatiwasdoingterisawthatihadmiscedmysunssesandbeganlookingaroundforthem.thenirememberedtheunexinedsoundandrealizedithadbeenthesoundofmysunssesfallingoutofmypocketontotheclosetfloor.
duringthefirstyearsafterileftshendstartedworkingasafacilitatorofsocialchangeteams,ikepthearingsoundsofasecondkindofpowerthatididn''tknowhowtointerpret.myfirstinterpretationofwhathadhappenedatmontfleur-theinterpretationthatiwasworkingfrom-wasthattheteamhaddecidedthattheirpower,theirdrivetorealizethemselvesasindividualsandasanation,couldmoreeffectivelybeexercisedworkingwithratherthanagainstoneanother.theyhadusedfourbirdimagestosummarizetheirsharedunderstandingofthedifferentwaysthefutureofthenationmightunfold:an"ostrich"scenarioofwhitedenial,ameduck"scenarioofanoverconstrainednewckgovernment,an"icarus"scenarioofthenewgovernmentflyingtoohightoofast,anda"mingos"scenarioofrisingslowlytogether.butwhenpallojordan,oneoftheintellectualleadersoftheafricannationalcongress,heardthesescenariospresentedatapartymeeting,hethoughttheywereridiculouslyna?veabouttheessentiallyviolentdynamicsofpowerinthesouthafricancontext."whatisallthisaboutducksandmingos?"heaskedincredulously."theonlybirdsthatmatterherearehawksandsparrows!"
itisnotsurprisingthatjordanandihaddifferentperspectivesonpower.icamefromapeacefndunfetteredbackground,andihadencounteredsouthafricaforthefirsttimein1991,oneyearafterthehopefultransitionalnegotiationshadstartedandseveralyearsafterthehopeless,violentshesbetweenthegovernmentandtheoppositioninthe1970sand1980s.jordanisck,whichinapartheidsouthafricameanshegrewupasasecond-ssperson.hehadspentdecadesinexileworkingfortheafricannationalcongressandhadonlyjustreturnedtothecountrytoengagedirectlyinthesetoughnegotiations.powerlooksdifferenttopeoplewhohavetostruggleforit.
nowirealizedwhatihadbeenhearing:powerhastwosides.thegenerativesideofpoweristhepower-tothatpaultillichreferstoasthedrivetoself-realization.thedegenerative,shadowsideispower-over-thestealingorsuppressionoftheself-realizationofanother.tillichrecognizesbothsides:"poweractualizesitselfthroughforceanpulsion.butpowerisneithertheonenortheother.itisbeing,actualizingitselfovernon-being.itusesandabusepulsioninordertooveethisthreat.itusesandabusesforceinordertoactualizeitself.butitisneithertheonenortheother."[16]power-overabusesforceanpulsiontosuppressoroppressordominateanother.
likepallojordan,mywifedorothyisckandgrewupinsouthafricaandwasinvolvedforyearsintheanti-apartheidstruggle.wheterwevisitedguatemtogether,shenoticedsomethingthatididn''t.thepositionofaboriginalpeoplethereremindedherofcksinsouthafrica:theyweretreatedasiftheywereinvisible.nottoseeanotherperson,ortoseeherorhimasanonperson,istheextrememanifestationofpower-over.
themosmonunderstandingofpowerisaspower-over.whenstephenlukes,aprofessorofpoliticsandsociologyatnewyorkuniversity,wrotehisssic1974bookpower:aradicalview,heequatedpowerwithdomination.butthirtyyearter,inthesecondedition,lukesrevisedhisview:"itwasamistaketodefinepowerbysayingthat''aexercisespoweroverbwhenaaffectsbinamannercontrarytob''sinterests.''powerasdominationisonlyonespeciesofpower."[17]power-overisasubsetofpower-to.
degenerativepower-overarisesoutofgenerativepower-to.wheniamexercisingmypower-toandifeelmyselfbumpingupagainstyouexercisingyours,andifinthisconflictihavethecapacitytoprevailoveryou,thenicaneasilyturntoexercisingpoweroveryou.mydrivetorealizemyselfslipseasilyintovaluingmyself-realizationaboveyours,andthenintobelievingarrogantlythatiammoredeservingofself-realization,andthenintoadvancingmyself-realizationevenifitimpedesyours.
manywhitesinsouthafricavaluedtheirself-realizationabovethatofothers,andtheydeployedanideology-apart-heid-tojustifytheirbehavior.wecanseeanalogousdynamicsacrossracesorethnicgroupsorssesorgendersineverysociety.thus,theseductivelybeautifulfaceofpower-tomorphs,asinahorrormovie,intotheviciouslyterriblefaceofpower-over.
onceihadseenthetwosidesofpowerstarklyinsouthafrica,icouldrecognizethemmoreeasilyelsewhere.afterileftshell,iconsultedtoseverapaniesandbusinessassociationsinhouston,texas.ifoundthebusinesscultureofhoustonunusundfascinating.thebusinesspeopletherewereunconstrainedintheirenthusiasmforindependent,unregted,entrepreneurialpower-to.thecan-dopropertydevelopersimetownedprivatpanieswithnameslike"johnsmithinterests,"whichiunderstoodtorepresentanunabashedcelebrationoftheadvancingofanindividual''sowninterestsandpower.
thesesamebusinesspeoplewerealsoenthusiasticintheirsupportforvoluntaryphnthropyandcivicengagement.theyweremoreawarethanpeopleihadmetelsewhereoftheirroleintheevolutionoftheirsocialreality.houstonhadgrownfrombeingthetwenty-firsrgestcityintheunitedstatesin1940tofourtrgestin1990.ithadbewhatitwasnotbyident,butastheresultoftheintentionaldecisionsmadebypeoplesuchasthemselves,andtheyfeltaresponsibilitytocontinuethispublicwork.theideologyofhoustonbusinesspeoplepromotedindividualself-realizationinalignmentwithcollectiveself-realization.
inthimunity,theveryepitomeofpower-towaskey,thefounderandchairmanofenron,the$100billionnaturalgas,electricity,andtelmunicationpany.enronhadbeennamed"america''smostinnovativpany"byfortunemagazinesixyearsinarow,anywasadmiredasanentrepreneurialgenius.atshell,youngstaffwhoconsideredthemselvestobesophisticatedstrategistswereinaweofenron''sdealmaking.thpanywasoneofhouston''sbiggestemployersandcharitabledonors,andithadsponsoredapoprnewdowntownstadium.wheyvisitedourhoustonworkshops,theotherbusinessleaderstreatedhimlikeagodysymbolizedthevirtuesofthefreemarketeerwhoseunfetteredpower-toproducedbothprivatewealthandpublicgood.
in2001,ichairedabusinessleaders''dialogueattheaspeninstituteincolorado.amongtheparticipants,whoincludedinternationalcorporate,government,tradeunion,andnonprofitleadersywasthestarwhomeveryonewantedtomeet.bythistime,storiesaboutenron''smalfeasancewerebeginningtocircte.themostprominentusationagainstenronwasthatithadillegallymaniptedcalifornia''selectricitymarket,andcaliforniaattorneygeneralbilllockyerwascallingfoytobeprosecuted.
duringthesesessions,onlyoneotherparticipant,atradeunionist,everchallengey.everyoneelseconspicuouslydeferredtohim.ithoughtthatiywassopowerfndwealthy,hedeservedtobelookedupto,andalsothatifiwaspolitetohim,imightbenefitfromhirgesse.
oneyearaftertheaspeninstitutemeeting,enronderedbankruptcy,andfiveyearsafterywasfoundguiltyoftenchargesoffraudandconspiracy.thpany''scopsewipedoutmorethan$60billioninshareholderinvestmentand6,000employeejobs,andledtothedissolutionofarthurandersen,itsauditor.
exercisingcreative,entrepreneurial,profitablepower-toisnothardifyoupretend,andareallowedtopretend,thatyouliveinanunregtedterranullius.buyandhisenroncolleaguesdidnotliveinsuchanemptyworld,andindefraudingmillionsofpeople,theyseverelyunderminedthosepeople''spower-toy''semphaticrejectionofrulesthatgovernthecollective,asmanifestedinhisdisinterest(enabledbyourdeference)inthesmallmatterofourmeeting''sgroundrulesandthrgermatterofu.sw,illustratedhisdisconnected,degenerativepower-over.
theirresponsiblepower-overexercisedbyenronexecutivesforeshadowedtheglobalfinancialcopseof2008.businessjournalistmarkhaineswasflummoxedwhenthecrisisbroke:"weassumethattheindividualpursuinghisorherownbestinterestwillresultinthemaximumbenefitforsocietyasawhole-andthatcertainlyhastobequestionednow."[19]theunderstandingthatihadimbibedinlondontwentyyearsearlier-thatasystemdrivenbythepower-toofthepartswouldproduceabeneficialresultforthewhole-wastragicallyipleteandinadequate.beforethisbecameapparent,however,iwastohaveotherexperiencesthatledmetomycurrentunderstandingofdegenerativepower.
when,aftermontfleur,ihadstartedworkingondifferenttoughchallengesindifferentcountries-power-overmanifestingininequityandinequality-icarriedwithmeacertainconfidencethaticamefromacountry,canada,thathadsessfullyoveeitsownsuchchallenges.soin2003iwastakenabacktofindmyselfinaconferenceroomatthedepartmentofjusticeinottawa,ontario,listeningtoagroupofleadersofgovernment,business,andaboriginal(nativeorfirstnations)organizationstalkabouttheirencounterswiththerealitiesofaboriginalpeopleincanada.
aswewentaroundthetableandheardeachperson''sstory-ofextraordinarilyhighlevelsofpoverty,addiction,andsuicide;decadesofabuseby"well-intentioned"governmentsandchurches;conflictsovertheextractionofondothernaturalresources;thousandsofstdandtreatydisputes-itbecameobvioustomethatididnoefromacountrythathadsessfullyoveesuchchallenges.mycolleagueursversteegensaysthatourmostimportantlearningenotsimplywhenweseetheworldanew,butspecificallywhenweseeourselves-andourroleincreatingtheworld-anew.[20]onthatdayisawthatiwaspartofasocietythatwasexercisingaterriblepower-over.
oneaspectofthiscanadiansituationwasthewidelyheldmentalmodelthataboriginalpeopleneededto"bedeveloped."thismodelhadbeeninstitutionalizedin,amongotherpractices,apolicyofaggressiveassimtionthatsincethe1850shadtakenchildrenawayfromtheirparentstobeeducatedinchurch-andstate-runresidentialschools.oneofthefoundersofresidentialschoolinginnorthamericacharacterizedhisapproachas"killtheindianandsavetheman."[21]residentialschoolingcreatedalegacyofphysical,emotional,sexual,andculturbuse.bythetimethstresidentialschoolincanadaclosedin1998,thispoweroveraboriginalpeoplehadbeenreplicatedforgenerations.
afterthismeetinginottawa,iandafewcolleaguesbeganworkingwithateamofnationalgovernmentandaboriginalleaderstotryoutanewwaytounstickthisstucksituation.wechoseasourentrypointtheextraordinarilyhighrateofsuicideamongaboriginalyouth:fivetimesthecanadianaverage.butafterfouryearsofon-and-offefforts,wehadhardlymovedforwardatall.wekeptrunningintoroadblocksrgeandsmall.atonepointwewerefrustratedintryingtmunicatewiththestaffofanaboriginal-runconferencecenter.inedaboutthistomyfriend,activistmichelgelobter,andhechidedme:"whyareyousurprisedthatoppressemunitiesexhibitseriousdys-functions?thesedysfunctionshavetoberecognizedanddealtwith;theyreinforceandmaintainoppressionbydiminishingthecapacityofthesmunitiestoheal."thedegenerativeimpactsofpower-overareresolutelypersistent.
ialsonoticedthatwithinourmicrocosmicprojectteam,weseededinre-creatingthestuckrtionshipsthatcharacterizedthemacrocosmweweretryingtochange.thegovernmentleaderswantedtoremainincontrndto"fix"theaboriginalproblem.theaboriginalleadersdidn''twanttobecontrolledorfixedordevelopedbyanyone.andthoseofuswhowereconsultantsdispassionatelykeptourselvesapartfromandabovethesituation.weallhadourowndifferentrolesandpowersandtrajectoriesofself-realization,whichneverreallymovedandneverreallymet.sowemadenoprogressonthechallengethatwehadsetouttoaddress.(onlter,whentheserolesandpowerrtionswereforcefullyrestructuredandownershipoftheprojectwastakenoverbyalocboriginamunity,didtheinitiativebegintomoveforward.)
incanada,asinsouthafricaandhouston,ihadbeenabletorecognizethesoundofpower-tomoreeasilythanthesoundofpower-overbecausetheformerresonatedmorestronglywithmyownprivilegedexperience.thenin2004igotatasteoftheexperienceoftheundersideofpower-over.mylondonpartnerzaidhassanandiwereinvitedtofacilitateaworkshopinmichiganforagroupofu.s.minorityactivistswhowererethinkingtheirstrategyforachievingracialequityinlightofthejust-issuedsupremecourtdecisionthatsharplylimitedaffirmativeaction.
iwasunsettledevenbeforethemeetingstarted.zaidismuslimandiamjewish,andontheneridehehadshownmeanarticleinanactivistmagazhatpointedouthowmanyoftheu.s.neoconservativesarejewish.healsoshowedmealettertotheeditorthathehadwritten,inwhichheacknowledgedhowcontentiousthisassertionwasbutdefendeditasinformativeandfair.westartedintoatensediscussion,afractalofthrgermuslim-jewishconflict,butthencutshortourargumenttogetreadyfortheworkshop.
withthisunresolvedtensionbetweenzaidandme,theworkshopstartedawkwardlyandgotworse.theparticipantswerefeelingbeatendownbytheregressionincivilrightsintheunitedstatesanddiscouragedaboutthepoorresultstheirexistingstrategieswereproducing.theydidn''tthinkmyleadershipofthemeeting,withmywhiteandforeigncolleagues,waslegitimate,andtheywereunhappywiththeprocesswewereusing.harshpowerstrugglesswirledaroundandwithintheroom.eventuallyitbecameobviousthatiwasn''twantedintheworkshopatall,andso,feelinghumiliated,igaveup.ileftthegrouptoleaditselfandwentbacktomyroom.
thatnightihadaterrifyingdream.agangwasharassingmemercilessly-crowdingandshovingandhittingme-andicouldn''tescape.eventuallyibecamesohopelessanddespairingthatipulledthepinoutofahandgrenadeandblewmyselfupwithallofthem:ibecameasuicidebomber.throughthisdreamiexperiencedtheterrible,debilitatingfeelingofbeingonthereceivingendofpower-over.
by2008,myunderstandingofthedynamicsofpowerandlovewastakingshapethroughsuchexperiencesandreflections.thenihadanotherencounterwithaboriginalissues,thistimeinaustralia.iwasinvitedtomelbournebyanaustralianaboriginalleadernamedpatrickdodson.heiswellknownforhisdecadesofvariedstruggles-mobilizations,negotiations,invocationswsuits-toaddressthechallengesfacedbyhispeople,andspecificallyforhiseffortstoachievereconciliationbetweenaboriginndnonab-originustralians.[22]heknowshowharditistomoveforwardonthesechallengesandwasn''tsurprisedbythckofprogressoftheeffortincanadainwhichihadbeeninvolved.
dodsonwantedmetocontributetoameetingthathewasconveningwithjohnsanderson,theformerchiefoftheaustralianarmy.theyweretryingtoconstructanewsetofagreements(includingconstitutionmendments)thatwould,morethan220yearsafterthearrivalofthesettlersand15yearsafterthehighcourtverdictthatoverruledterranullius,putthertionshipbetweenthesetwopeoplesonanequalfooting.
theeveningbeforeourmeetingsweretostart,iwalkedbyanoutdoorcinemaandfoundmyselfwatchingtwodocumentaries.thefirstwasthewhit,afilmaboutarcticwildlifeandthedangersitfacesfromglobalwarming.[23]thesecondwaskanyini,aboutanaustralianaboriginalleadernamedbobrandall,amemberofthe"stolengeneration"whoasachildhad(likemanycanadianchildren)beentakenawayfromhisfamilybythegovernment.[24]inkanyini,randarguesthatthecrisisinaboriginalsocietyoriginatedintheirhavingbeendispossessedandestrangedfromthefouraspectsoflifethatareessentialtosurvival:theirbeliefsystemow,theindorcountry,theirspirituality,andtheirfamilies."thepurposeoflifeistobepartofeverythingthatis,"hesaysinthefilm."youtakeawaymykanyini,myinterconnectedness,andi''mnothing.i''mdead."iwasstruckthatrandall''syearningwasthesameaspaultillich''slove:"thedrivetowardstheunityoftheseparated."
inthejuxtapositionofthesetwofilms,icouldnowseewhathappenswhenweemployourpowerwithoutlove.ourdestructionofaboriginalsocietiesworldwideandourheadlongrushtowardsthedestructionoftheecosystemsonwhichalloursocietiesdependarisefromourdisconnectionfromoneanotherandfromtheearth.environmentalistjuliabutterflyhillmadethesamepointindescribingherunlikelypartnershipwithsocictivistvanjones:"ibroughtthepiecethatwearenotseparatefromth.hispiecewasthatweneedtouplifteveryone.wewermittedtoseeinghowthosepiecesfittogether.wecouldseeunderneathallofitwastheideaofdisposability:theideathatyou''vegotdisposablepeople,adisposabl."[25]ifwepushawayorabandonoursenseofconnectionwithothers-ouracknowledgment,oursensitivity,ourlove-thereisnolimittothesadness,terror,andpainthatouruncheckedpowercanproduce.
wecanrecognizethisdegenerativephenomenonofpowerwithoutlovebecause,insomanycontextsandatsomanyscales,powerdominateslove.weseethisinourhomes,organizationsmunities,nations,andininternationffairs.patrickdodsontoldmeastoryaboutmichaellong,apopraustralianaboriginalsportsmanwhohadwalkedfrommelbouocanberratodrawattentiontothedesperatesituationofhispeople.longmetwithprimeministerjohnhowardandaskedhimtheanguishedquestion:"whereistheloveformypeople?"weallfeeltheanguishthatresultsfromthedeficitoflove.
loveiswhatmakespowergenerative
basedontheseexperiences,then,hereishowiunderstandthenatureofpoweranditsrtionshiptolove.powerhastwosides,onegenerativeandtheotherdegenerative.ourpowerisgenerativeandamplifyingwhenwerealizeourselveswhilelovingandunitingwithothers.ourpowerisdegenerativeandconstrain-ing-recklessandabusive,orworse-whenweoverlookordenyorcutoffourloveandunity.