Political power is a foundational concept in political science and related disciplines, referring to the capacity of actors to influence or control the actions, behavior, and decisions of others within the political domain. As a research concept, it investigates the acquisition, maintenance, exercise, and loss of this capacity, examining the mechanisms, dynamics, and manifestations of domination, authority, and influence across various political contexts and levels of analysis. Its key characteristics include its relational quality, its expression through diverse means (coercion, authority, persuasion, structural forces), its dynamic and often contested nature, and its critical role in shaping collective outcomes, resource distribution, and social order. The study of political power is essential for analyzing governance structures, policy processes, social inequalities, and political change.