Lessons of the Melian Conference

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Lessons of the Melian Conference

• Power
• Collective power is the ability of a society to
  accomplish goals such as feeding and housing its
  population
• Competitive power is the ability to realize your
  goals despite opposition
• People who ordinarily exercise little power may
  have great potential power, collectively
• Numbers
• Ability to organize and act together
• Control over consent (vs. ability to disrupt)
  labor, votes, etc.

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• II. The effective exercise of power requires
• Leadership
• Internally coordinates, inspires, helps people
  to develop their leadership skills, helps
  identify self-interest (long-term, fundamental)
• Realistic assessment of
• Self-interest yours, others
• Power
• Determination and practice

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• III. Many people are socialized into acting
  powerlessly
• They often become prideful about this
• IV. They can learn to
• Exercise power
• Effectively
• democratically
• Build empowering organizations