“Power is defined, in physics, as any form of energy or force available for work or applied to produce motion or pressure. Used in terms of social dynamics, the term power has essentially the same meaning, namely, the force required to bring about- or to prevent- social, political, or economic changes. It is relevant to an understanding of the problems of disadvantaged minority groups and their confinement within ghettos that one of the meanings of the term power emphasizes the possession of control or command or authority over others and directly relates to the problem of status. The form of power that is most significant in the understanding of social change is that combination of energies required to determine and to translate goals into a desired social reality.

The effective, constructive use of power is indicated not merely by expressing a desire for change, but by the demonstration of the ability to achieve it. There is an important and often overlooked distinction between pseudopower, which is restricted to a verbal or posturing level of reality- by word or by acting ‘as if’- and actual power, demonstrated in social action and social change, the significant social power. Social action may be used as a form of diversion of power under the conditions where the significant political and economic forces permit certain action as a mere escape valve and as a displacement of energy. It is possible for the forces aligned for the perpetuation of the status quo to permit the power of those who desire social change to be dissipated into mere appearances of social action- catharsis- without observable and meaningful progress. This can be a most effective technique of control, exploiting as it does the democratic ritual of freedom of protest. In the final analysis, however, the key criterion- the significant basis of actual power- must be a demonstrated change in a desired direction.” -From, “Dark Ghetto: Dilemmas of Social Power” By: Kenneth B. Clark