Although it is often useful to distinguish among such power terms as power, influence, control,
coercion, force, persuasion, deterrence, compellence, inducement and so on, it is possible to identify
common elements underlying all such terms. Robert A. Dahl (1957) has suggested that underlying most
such terms is the basic intuitive notion of A causing (or having the ability to cause) B to do something that
B otherwise would not do. (In the discussion that follows, 'A' refers to the actor having or exercising
influence; while 'B' refers to the actor being, or potentially being, influenced.) Although alternative
definitions of power abound, none rivals this one in widespread acceptability. In the following discussion,
the term 'power' will be used in a broad generic sense that is interchangeable with such terms as
'influence' or 'control' unless otherwise indicated. This usage is not intended to deny the validity or the
utility of distinguishing among such terms for other purposes.