Definitions
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun A
political power capable of challenging and potentially removing the power of another. Usually used to refer to the ability of 'have-nots' to combat the 'haves'. The word can be used to describe countervailing forces both within (see quotation 1) and between (see quotation 2) states.
Etymologies
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
Support
Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word counterpower.
Examples
-
The only counterpower Google and other big players may have must come from society, from our organized society and the way we worse or better are organized is through the state.
-
State authorities are no longer naive to the possibilities enabled by mobile communication media, and the power-counterpower conflict in urban areas will involve a complex mix of political tactics, technology regulation, social practices that [...]
Smart Mobs » Blog Archive » Cyber-Urban Activism in Indonesia 2006
-
State authorities are no longer naive to the possibilities enabled by mobile communication media, and the power-counterpower conflict in urban areas will involve a complex mix of political tactics, technology regulation, social practices that is likely to differ in significant ways from culture to culture:
Smart Mobs » Blog Archive » Cyber-Urban Activism in Indonesia 2006
-
Coercion does not win friends, and vast power, especially when liberally used, generates counterpower, resentment and resistance.
-
(Potere Operaio, No. 61, July 16, 1973) Even as late as November 1978, after the kidnapping and killing of Aldo Moro, Negri's own magazine, Rosso (Red), far from condemning the escalating violence of the Red Brigades, wrote: "In claiming as its own all militant actions on the proletarian side, the movement must relaunch the initiative on the terrain of organized counterpower and mass illegality."
'Apocalypse Soon': An Exchange Negri, Antonio 2003
-
They can reasonably expect that the United States will be unable to bolster a counterpower in the Afghan tribal belt or strengthen the Kabul government.
-
In general, if a majority of lawmakers want to create a law that counters the constitution, there's nothing stopping them because there's no counterpower. "
-
In general, if a majority of lawmakers want to create a law that counters the constitution, there's nothing stopping them because there's no counterpower. "
Comments
Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.