The work of the largest modern German sociologist, creator of the original concept of social systems, devoted to the consideration of one of the key problems of modern social and political theory - the problem of power. In his analysis, the author offers a peculiar interpretation of power as a means of social communication. The book will be of interest to sociologists, political scientists, philosophers, as well as everyone who is not indifferent to the problems of society and politics. Published in Russian for the first time.