JSPES, Vol. 29, No. 4 (Winter 2004)
pp. 433-453

Political Power as Social Energy: Why are MDCs More Efficient than LDCs?

Herbert H. Werlin

The author challenges theories of political science that define politics as "a struggle for competitive advantage." Political Elasticity (PE) theory is introduced as a way of seeing political power more in terms of a relationship between leaders and the public - as a form of social energy instead of a resource to be pursued for personal gain. Case studies are presented in this light to show why More Developed Countries (MDCs) tend to be more dynamic than Less Developed Countries (LDCs).