In the modern era, we often think of state power as the presence of a stable monopoly, borders, bureaucracy, and security forces. But in reality, state power is not confined to such a situation. World history has repeatedly shown that no political power gains stability in popular support until long-standing rulers and their dominance are suddenly overthrown. In my copyrighted theory, “A Theory of Understanding State Power Through Knowledge, Identity, Liberty, and Power, and State-Power” I propose a revolutionary framework for understanding this situation: the “ladder of control.”

I argue that state power is the institutional culmination of a five-step progression. This ladder of knowledge, identity, freedom, and power ultimately leads to state power. By examining this ascent, we can better understand how authority is constructed and why it is resisted.

Step 1: Knowledge as a foundation

The first rung on the ladder of knowledge is knowledge. Knowledge provides the ability to interpret and apply knowledge to shape social outcomes. Historical events have shown that the ultimate gatekeeper of power is the right to control knowledge. Ancient Egyptian scholars used literacy as a means of consolidating power, while today state actors and corporations use “big data” and algorithms to control power.

Knowledge can wield the power of states to monitor and manipulate, like a double-edged sword, through propaganda or censorship. It empowers individuals and institutions. While print media fueled reform in the modern era, the Internet has fueled the rise of Arab and South Asian rebellions and upheavals in the postmodern era. Without the technical, historical, and strategic foundational mastery and maturity of knowledge, any attempt to climb the ladder of statehood is bound to fail.

Step 2: Identity as the catalyst

If knowledge provides the tools, identity provides the motivation. To move beyond individual understanding toward collective action, there must be a shared sense of ‘who we are’. I highlight how ‘imagined communities’—built through national anthems, flags, and shared history—legitimize the state by fostering loyalty.

Yet, identity can also be a source of profound instability. When identity is manipulated to exclude or marginalize, as seen in the ethnic divisions of the Rwandan genocide or modern populist movements, it fragments the very society the state seeks to govern. To successfully ascend this rung, leaders must forge a cohesive identity that unites rather than divides.

Knowledge and identity are two sides of the same coin. Knowledge provides tools, while identity provides inspiration. Identity is collective rather than individual. There must be a shared sense of “who we are.” This highlights how “imagined communities”—constructed through national anthems, flags, and shared histories—enhance the state by fostering loyalty. However, identity can also be a source of deep instability. When identity is manipulated to exclude or marginalize, the brutal events of the Rwandan genocide are even more ancient. This is evident in the ethnic and racial divisions of modern populist movements. The power to govern thus tends to fragment society. For sustainable development and a creative society, leaders must promote and protect a unified identity that unites rather than divides.

Stage 3: Freedom for individual and collective prosperity

The third stage, freedom or liberation, is where knowledge and identity are transformed into productive action. This stage represents the freedom of people to think, speak, and organize freely. In authoritarian regimes, freedom is not for everyone but is limited to a small elite, while in democracies it is widely distributed through voting and citizen participation.

However, the modern era has introduced new tensions in the trade-off between freedom and security. Through surveillance technologies, states curtail civil and business freedoms in the name of security. Without the freedom to organize, even groups with knowledge and identity cannot effectively challenge the status quo.

Stage 4: Power as a mechanism of influence

The final rung and bridge to statehood is power. Power operates through a variety of means. Power operates through coercion (power), economic (resources and resources), cultural (ideology), and political (institutions). However, my theory supports Max Weber’s notion that power must be legitimate in order to endure.

We see a positive transition in great figures like Nelson Mandela. These men of the era transformed the “illegitimate” power exercised by the state into the exercise of “legitimate” power through popular support and moral authority. Such a transformation requires the use of knowledge, identity, and freedom to influence the behavior of others and to gain control over institutions.

Stage 5: State power as the supreme power

State power sits at the top of the ladder, with the institutional authority to govern a territory through legitimate violence, taxation, and a monopoly on law enforcement. Yet I argue that this is not a fixed endpoint. State power is a constantly evolving process that requires maintenance over time.

These five stages represent the basic components of the “ladder of control” and are a framework used to understand how individuals and institutions exercise governance and authority.

The following summary outlines how these elements work to maintain state power:

Knowledge: Serves as the basis for control, using technical expertise and legal frameworks to maintain state legitimacy. It includes the ability to interpret and enforce political outcomes.

Identity: Acts as a catalyst for collective action by uniting populations through shared personal and group narratives and symbols, fostering the sense of loyalty and belonging necessary to maintain state authority.

Freedom: It allows for healthy civic participation and the management of dissent, providing the necessary space for individuals and groups. Freedom acts as a “crucible” that transforms knowledge and identity into tangible action.

Power: It acts as a mechanism of influence through coercive, economic, or political means to enforce authority and defend the territory of the state.

These steps, while not strictly linear, are interdependent, which strengthens the stability of the governing body.

The feedback loop of governance

The premise of this theory is rooted in the recognition of interdependence. The ladder is not a one-way street but a feedback loop. Once achieved, state power must be able to shape the conditions of knowledge, identity, and freedom for the next generation.

The main reason why consensual social welfare states have been stable in Scandinavian countries, including Sweden, is because these elements are balanced there. When these elements are out of balance, as during the French Revolution’s “Reign of Terror,” this controlled ladder collapses when uncontrolled freedom leads to chaos. This imbalance persists into the 21st century, as leaders exploit misinformation (knowledge) to manipulate identities and erode democratic norms (liberties).

Conclusion: A human process

Ultimately, I believe that state power is not a static entity but a human process shaped by agency. Understanding this ladder is all the more important in an era where non-state actors such as corporations and digital networks are challenging traditional boundaries.

To build systems that are powerful, just, and resilient, it is essential that the ladder be accessible to all. The ladder must be built on a foundation of legitimate knowledge and inclusive identity. The struggle for control may never be easy. But it is through this struggle that the soul of a society is defined.