Countervailing forces

Power logic enters a crisis when those involved think and feel in terms of other relationship logics, as members of a community based on mutual respect and shared responsibility. Whether, and to what extent, mutual respect exists can depend on many factors, including personal experience, situational conditions and a strong social movement against absolute power. The more broadly resources are distributed in a society, the better its chances of preventing or countering the concentration of power.

Seeking counterpower is an obvious counterstrategy to (imperialist) power and is often unavoidable. However, counterpower also displays the typical characteristics of power and power-based thinking. Absolute power structures and the logic of power are only overcome when participants jointly recognize and effectively protect rules and norms of mutual respect (civility).