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About this quote

What does it mean?
Those in power ultimately rely on violence to maintain control.
In plain terms
Powerful people understand and use force to keep their status.
What can you take from it?
Power relies on violence to maintain control.

Where it applies

  • activism
  • political theory
  • conflict analysis

Putting it to work

  • expose state violence
  • build nonviolent resistance

Questions to consider

  • How is power maintained?
  • What role does violence play in politics?

Another view

Some argue power also relies on consent and legitimacy.

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