The power to dominate, a human stupidity.

Abstract

The power to dominate has always been a human desire and aspiration that many have
conquered and used throughout time. It involves a culture of greed that does not have any
considerations towards the others because it only seeks for accumulation, control and
prestige, causing suffering and devastation. The power to dominate can be practiced from
the economic and political macrostructures, as well as from the social microstructures
because control and abuse of the others can be observed in all kinds of social relations. This
type of power is defined in this article as “power-over”, which has been studied, legitimized
and questioned in the social sciences and the political philosophy fields. This paper brings
together classical and modern authors who had debated about this political issue for many
years. The article analyses part of that theory, describing the power to dominate as a
stupidity act because of its destructive potential that only privileges private interest. Also,
the concept of stupidity is defined in this text. The issue of power has another approach that
validates how social or collective power could also lead to achieving common goals of
emancipation or the creation of a culture of equality. This paper, however, focuses the
debate on the concept of “power-over” which contributes to exploitation and control. This
text highlights how slavery, wars, poverty and environmental issues are consequences of
that type of power, which is also linked to human stupidity.