Work

Power Is Not a Concept: A Constitutional Civic Realist Critique of Conceptual Theories of Power

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: This paper provides a foundational critique of the "conceptualist" tradition in political theory, which seeks to define power through linguistic and behavioral analysis (e.g., Weber, Dahl, Lukes). From the perspective of Constitutional Civic Realism (CCR), the author argues that political power is not an abstract concept waiting to be defined, but a structural byproduct of institutional architecture. By shifting the focus from the nature of power to the design of the institutions that enable it, this work offers a structural alternative for analyzing systemic imbalances and the necessity of countervailing institutions in a democracy.

Source: Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)

DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.19794767

Author: Matylonek, John

Language: English

Topic: Political Theory and Democracy

Subfield: Political Science and International Relations

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: green

OpenAlex ID: W7155707401

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