Final answer:
The cause of 'people' and 'power' lies in the inherent nature of humans to form factions based on interests, opinions, or economic standing, as well as the state's influence in shaping national identity and loyalty. Historical concerns about corruption and observations by political figures like Lord Acton highlight the problematic relationship between power and human behavior. The dynamic relationship between human nature, state influence, and power struggles is central to understanding political dynamics.
Step-by-step explanation:
The cause of 'people' and the 'power' according to William Hazlitt and other historical and philosophical discourse can be interpreted in various ways. Hazlitt himself suggests that the nature of man lends itself to forming factions based on various conditions such as differences in opinion, attachments to leaders or other influential figures, or economic standings within society.
This tendency towards factionalism is often fueled by both the unequal distribution of property and the varying interests that naturally arise within a society, such as the interests of different economic sectors or between creditors and debtors.
Furthermore, the state and its institutions play a significant role in shaping the sense of peoplehood through mechanisms that encourage loyalty and reinforce legitimacy, as argued by political scientist Benedict Anderson. The media, public rituals, and symbols are methods used to keep citizens' attention on the state and its power.
Meanwhile, the historic concern over corruption and the centralization of power reflects an understanding that power can corrupt, echoing Lord Acton's aphorism, 'Power tends to corrupt; absolute power corrupts absolutely.'
Indeed, the struggle for power and the discontent that can arise from perceived unjust treatments are often at the heart of political mobilization and attachments. This process can be manipulated or harnessed by political figures who seek to leverage these emotions for their own ascendancy or to maintain their grasp on power.
The interactions between these forces—nature of man, state influence, and the lure and impact of power on society and individuals—constitute the fabric of political dynamics as conceived by Hazlitt and echoed in later political thought.