"Domination delegates the physical violence on which it rests to the dominated"

The quote "Domination delegates the physical violence on which it rests to the dominated" by Theodor Adorno presents a profound review of power dynamics and social control. At its core, the statement suggests that systems of dominance maintain their power not exclusively through direct acts of violence by the gentility but by insidiously causing the oppressed to internalize and reproduce this violence amongst themselves. This insight brings to light how power can sustain itself through indirect methods, perpetuating a cycle of control that runs within the social body itself.

Adorno might be indicating that those in power typically control structures in such ways that the oppressed concerned strengthen their own subjugation. For example, in lots of hierarchical societies, social systems are developed so that individuals at lower levels compete or conflict with one another over limited resources, status, or opportunities. This internalized rivalry or violence keeps them sidetracked, fracturing prospective solidarity that could threaten the dominant power. As a result, energy that might be channeled into difficult or overturning the overbearing structure is instead dissipated among disputes within the oppressed group itself.

Additionally, the statement might likewise reflect how institutionalized injustice can cause psychological and social patterns where individuals internalize feelings of inability, self-doubt, and bitterness. This internalization fuels habits that support the status quo since the controlled may act out the power dynamics they experience by putting in control or violence over others in similarly susceptible positions. It highlights the complexity of power: its effectiveness lies not just in obvious enforcement but in its ability to discreetly craft a social environment where the acts of dominance are performed, knowingly or unconsciously, by those it rules over.

Adorno's observation underscores the value of acknowledging and taking apart these internalized systems of supremacy to attain real emancipation. Empowerment involves not only confronting external structures of power but likewise addressing the internal characteristics that perpetuate cycles of violence and control.