When talking about Eddard Stark, you meantion his understanding of power as relational not institutional. Would you care to elaborate on the differences between these two views of power?
Well, I kind of wrote a book about that topic…
Eddard Stark thought that being Hand of the KIng meant being an adviser to his friend Robert Baratheon, and trying to persuade Robert to be his better self; i.e, he thought about being the Hand as about the relationship between himself and Robert.
What he didn’t understand is that the Handship is a political institution that comes with certain distinct powers that can be exercised independently of the King – making appointments, drafting laws, making war, etc.
RFTIT Tumblr Backup 