Domination & submission _ the BDSM relationship handbook ( PDFDrive )

Total Power Exchange
Domination/submission relationships are often referred to as a form of power
exchange or sometimes, total power exchange (TPE). As we’ve mentioned
previously, there is obviously something being mutually exchanged in these
relationships, but what is it, exactly? For many, it’s difficult to understand the
notion that power is somehow being exchanged in both directions between a
submissive and a Dominant. One of the reasons it can be unclear is the fact that
quite often, we are talking about two completely different relationship dynamics.
On one hand, the D/s dynamic governs the emotions and interactions in a longterm,
committed, and loving D/s relationship. On the other hand, the BDSM
dynamic governs play activity and physical interactions with our mates and play
partners.
Another reason for the general lack of clarity on this issue may be that there are
many different ways we can define power. There is even some controversy over
the question of whether something can be considered real power if it isn’t
exercised or exploited. Some people believe that it isn’t so much power that is
exchanged in TPE, as it is authority. The intrinsic difference between power and
authority can best be explained thusly: If we were talking about a car, then
power would be what was under the hood. Exercising that power would mean
taking the car out for a spin. Having the authority to do so might involve a
driver’s license, possessing the keys, or having the title and registration.
In a long-term, committed D/s relationship, both power and authority are
exchanged to an exponentially greater degree than in any short-term,
uncommitted BDSM play scenario. The reasons for this should be fairly
obvious but, to the casual observer, the true nature of the two way exchange may
not be. It may be easy to see the authority that a submissive grants to her
Dominant to exercise power over her life. It’s also easy to see that, even though
her Dominant may be exercising that power, the submissive always retains the
power and authority to revoke it at will, at any time. Additionally, she typically
retains the power or ability to do for herself what she has granted her Dominant
the authority to do; she simply chooses not to exercise that power.
Consider the submissive who may be perfectly capable of managing her own
household budget, but has ceded the authority to do so to her Dominant.
Another example is the submissive who may be required to get permission from