[JoeAltmaier]

"Power is a zero-sum game" doesn't sound right. You inspire people to do something, they create something. You chill their spirit so they are dissolute, you lose something. Definitely possible to create and destroy power.

[dalecooper]

That's an excellent point. It would appear that the sum total of power ebbs and flows. In terms of power as expressed through its ostensible components (e.g. wealth, political strength, mechanical energy, etc.) this is certainly the case.

However, power is a transferable abstract (like currency). If you frighten a population into paralysis, then you may appear to lose creativity, motivation, economic wealth, etc. However, those losses simply become the "cost" of "buying" different forms of power.

[dllthomas]

'However, those losses simply become the "cost" of "buying" different forms of power.'

I don't think we can assume those are equal (or even of the same magnitude).