I always liked Bertrand Russell's definition of power, that it is the "production of intended effects". Thus whoever can act in a way to bring about more of what they want, has the most power. The trouble is, according to Russell, is that the experience of power increases the love of power - the more you have the more you want.

This would not be such a problem if we were better at cooperating as a species - but rivalry combined with power leads to us sometimes taking a loss, just so we can see our supposed enemies do the same.

It would also be less of a problem if more people were educated so they were not so easily manipulated by loud individuals who project confidence, but have no competence.

That said, there is much coercion and duress in the world. Minimising that in society - now there's a complex task!