How do people lose power?

Answer 1

This is an extremely broad question that requires a subjective response. Power is lost by the failure to exercise it. This is true for individuals as well as for individuals who represent organizations or nations. Here are some examples:

1. In 1936 Hitler reoccupied the Rhineland which was in defiance of the Treaty of Versailles. The allies, England and France were in position to use their military power to force the Wehrmacht to retreat. In fact we now know that Hitler's orders were to retreat if the allies displayed an effort to force prevent this. The allies did not exercise their power and so lost it regarding the Rhineland event.

2. Bay of Pigs Invasion. US President Kennedy had the option of providing combat air support to the CIA backed and armed Cuban Resistance Army. This army had been trained and armed by the CIA. US air support would have easily destroyed Castro's army. Failure to exercise its power, the US inaction allowed the Soviet Union to have a forward base 90 miles from the US coastline in Florida. If there was a fear of Soviet intervention, it was a false fear. The mere fact that the US had trained and armed the anti Castro rebels was already enough to possibly cause an international crisis with the Soviets. Failure to unseat Castro reduced the power of the US in its own backyard.

3. Julius Caesar. After coming to power in ancient Rome, Caesar had the power to execute Senators and military leaders who were against him in the civil war. Caesar did destroy the legions that were led by the sons of the dead Roman general Pompey in Spain. However he chose to show mercy to those people, mainly in the Senate. The result of not using his power was his assassination. Octavian and Antony however did use their power later to kill all leaders who had been the enemies of Caesar and later the enemies of themselves.

4. Napoleon. The failure of the European Coalition to execute Napoleon and exile him to Elba was a mistake as he escaped from Elba and formed a new army. The coalition had power then lost it by not using it to end any chance of Napoleon's return to power.