By Adolfe A. Berle

People live in contexts of power. Here are Berle's Laws of Power

“The "0th" rule . . . . "Power is always preferable to chaos.

Rule One: Power invariably fills any vacuum in human organization.

Rule Two: Power is invariably personal.

Rule Three: Power is invariably based on a system of ideas or philosophy. Absent such a system or philosophy, the institutions essential to power cease to be reliable, power ceases to be effective, and the power holder is eventually displaced.

Rule Four: Power is exercised through, and depends on, institutions. By their existence, they limit, come to control, and eventually confer or withdraw power.

Rule Five: Power is invariably confronted with, and acts in the presence of, a field of responsibility. The two constantly interact, in hostility or co-operation, in conflict or through some form of dialog, organized or unorganized, made part of, or perhaps intruding into, the institutions on which power depends.

Berle' explanation of these rules, with context and stories, makes a fascinating and, I believe, quite useful read. I think anyone who cares about what "power" means can learn from and profit from this book.

New York. Harcourt, Brace & World, Inc.