Öflun

Öflun is an Icelandic noun that denotes power, influence, or strength. It is used to describe the capacity of actors—individuals, groups, institutions, or states—to act effectively, to achieve aims, or to shape outcomes. The term covers both physical strength and non‑physical forms of power, such as political leverage, economic influence, or social empowerment. In academic and public discourse, öflun is employed to analyze power relations, agency, and the distribution of influence within and between actors.

Etymology: Öflun derives from Old Norse öfl, meaning power or might, with the suffix -un forming an abstract noun. It is cognate with related terms in other Nordic languages.

Usage: In contemporary Icelandic, öflun appears in discussions of governance, policy, and social change. It is used to describe both the sources of power and the mechanisms by which power is exercised or contested, including institutions, networks, resources, and legitimacy. The common adjectival form is öflugur, meaning powerful.

Historically, the concept appears in Icelandic literature and political thought in contexts of authority, sovereignty, and social organization. In modern dictionaries, öflun is defined as power or influence, and it is often contrasted with related ideas such as empowerment and control.

See also: power, influence, empowerment.