Theory of the Efficiency of Power

The theory that power determines what counts as efficient—that those with power define efficiency in ways that serve their interests, and that these definitions then shape reality. The Theory of the Efficiency of Power argues that efficiency is not discovered but decreed: the powerful decide what measures matter, what outcomes count, what costs are relevant. Their efficiency becomes the efficiency, their standards become the standards. The theory is the recognition that efficiency has a politics, that power shapes not just who benefits from efficiency but what efficiency means. It's the foundation of critical efficiency studies, of the insistence on asking "efficient for whom?" before accepting any efficiency claim.

Example: "The powerful called the policy 'efficient.' The powerless called it destruction. The Theory of the Efficiency of Power explained why the powerful's definition prevailed: they had power to define the terms. Their efficiency was the only one that counted, because they counted it. He stopped asking 'is it efficient?' and started asking 'who has power to define efficiency?' The answer explained everything."

by Abzugal February 21, 2026

Theory of Efficiency Spectrum

The theory that efficiency exists on a spectrum, not as a binary or absolute measure. The Theory of Efficiency Spectrum argues that there is no single point of "efficient" vs. "inefficient" but rather a continuous range of possibilities, with different positions on the spectrum representing different trade-offs, different values, different priorities. An intervention might be highly efficient at profit generation, moderately efficient at job creation, and completely inefficient at environmental protection—all on the same spectrum, all real. The theory calls for mapping where things fall on multiple efficiency spectra, rather than asking the simplistic binary question. It's the recognition that efficiency is not one thing but many, and that the question is not "is it efficient?" but "where on the efficiency spectrum does it fall, and by what measure?"

Example: "They argued about whether the new policy was efficient. He said yes (profit efficiency); she said no (social efficiency). The Theory of Efficiency Spectrum showed they were both right—on different parts of the spectrum. The policy was high on one dimension, low on another. The argument wasn't about facts; it was about which part of the spectrum mattered more. He stopped trying to prove her wrong and started trying to understand where she was standing."

by Abzugal February 21, 2026