The only way to return power to the people is communal ownership of the forces of production.It is seen as an illegitimate use of power since it forces the subject class to submit to a situation which is against its interests. The case of power to exploit others is defined by Marx as coercion. The ruling class, those who own the forces of production uses power to exploit and oppress the subject class in all societies. The basis of dominance or power is the ownership of forces of production. Thus for Marx the source of power in society lies in the economic infrastructure.The dominant group uses power to further its own interests and these interests are a direct conflict with the interests of their subject to its power. This is a constant sum concept of power since a net gain in the power of the dominant group represents a net loss in the power of the next in society. Marx views power as to be held by a particular group (dominant class) in society at the expense of the rest of the society (subordinate class).All institutions of super structure that reflect the domination of class structure reinforce the power and privilege of the ruling class in the society.
That means, for example, in capitalist society the infrastructure produce particular kind of state, education system, family structure etc. Marxists argue that such an analysis of the relationship between the infrastructure and super structure tells in great deal about power in a class society. A range of legal status protect the rights of property owners and in particular their right to a disproportionate share of the wealth produced by their employees. For example, in capitalist society and the unequal relationship between employees and employers will be reflected and legitimated in the legal system. Thus in terms of Marxian theory “the relationship of dominance and subordination in the infrastructure is justified and legalized by the super structure”. Marxist theorist argue that institutions like education, state and mass media justify the stereotypical images of superiority and inferiority coinciding with class position.Thus are power inequality in the economic infrastructure is reflected in the superstructure. The assumption is that they exist to prop up a class-based mode of production. This is the key element in Marxist approach to the superstructure, a society’s non-economic institutions and the ideas and beliefs they promote. For Marxists through these institutions of socialization the real character of class society is justified and thus it ensures social inequality and domination and thereby the acceptance of the power structure in the society. FOR EXAMPLE, institution like the family, education system and the mass media play a crucial role in the promoting generally held beliefs and values. How do such dominant idea, which hails the dominating power of the dominant class and the exploitation of the subordinate class, gain such general acceptance? Marxists argue that particular ideas come to prevail through various key agencies of socialisation.It is only that the dominated are unaware of their condition, because of the effectiveness of the ideologies into which they have been socialized. Lack of naked oppression does not mean that domination is not taking place. Marx argues that although from time to time dominant classes do have to resort to naked force to maintain their power and supremacy, the absence of such obvious coercion should not be taken to signify an absence of exploitation, lack of naked oppression does not indicate lack of oppression and the lack of any need to force.the dominant group uses power to further its own interest and there by exploiting those who subject to power. According to him the source of power in society lies in economic infrastructure and those who own the modes of production i.e. Marx views power to be held by a particular group in society at the expense of the rest of the society.
Marx does not give a clear definition of power, for him, power means coercion.
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