The judge and the emperor

The theme of relations between political power and its subjects has given the study of counterpowers an important value. Wherever it may be the exercise of political power is assured on the part of its holders by a symbiosis of authority and instruments of power notably the army and the judiciary. However when political power tends towards totalitarianism political economic or social forces emerge. These become counterpowers organizing themselves in the face of established power. Their role is to restrict the exercise of power and propose an alternative to the decisions of the established authority. This has been the case in Mali over the last few days.