poder

Poder is a term in several Romance languages, mainly Spanish and Portuguese, that denotes the capacity or ability to act, influence, or control events or people. It can refer to a person’s actual capability to perform an action, to the capacity to affect outcomes, or to the legitimate authority that enables such influence. In political and social contexts, poder is closely linked to power, authority, and influence, and is studied in fields such as political science, sociology, and organizational studies.

Etymology: The word derives from Latin potere or posse, meaning to be able. In Spanish, poder is also a verb meaning “to be able to” or “can,” conjugated as puedo, puedes, puede, etc. In Portuguese, poder is a noun meaning power or ability and a verb with similar meanings.

Types and concepts: In political theory, power can be coercive (the ability to force others to act through threats or force), legitimate (authority recognized as rightful), or persuasive (influence through persuasion and norms). Modern theory distinguishes hard power (military and economic might) from soft power (cultural appeal and diplomacy); the former derives from capabilities, the latter from perceptions.

Relations and dynamics: Power is often distributed and contested in social structures, leading to dynamics such as governance, leadership, and resistance. Analysts emphasize that power is relational and context-dependent, emerging from resources, networks, knowledge, and legitimacy.

Note: In physics, the term for power in Spanish or Portuguese is commonly “potencia” rather than “poder,” which refers to the broader concept of ability.