Physis Project

Governing classes

Indirect control (shadow power)

Shadow Power (name used in the articles)

The bureaucracy controlling power instead of becoming power: without entering open conflict, using its function to shape decision processes, control the flow of information and steer implementation — obeying in appearance while governing in practice.

— Physis: A Theory of Power — Concept Glossary

The definition is from the Concept Glossary of Physis: A Theory of Power; the book will be published on Zenodo in October 2026. The English wording is provisional until the official English glossary is published.

AuthorEvren Öztürk
Published19 September 2026
Research programPhysis
First appearancePhysis: A Theory of Power
Developed inPhysis: A Theory of Power — Chapter 4, §6.4.a

Related concepts

Bureaucracy–upper-class fusionThe implementers (bureaucracy)

Used in