“In common with all living forms, men seeks to maximize his preferred events, such as power.. and wealth when he utilizes the environment.” – The Signature of Power..
By choosing a specific site and using specific architectural motives a government building can.. clearly state the political and economical predominance of one group of its citizens. (see Sri.. Lanka Parliament Building)
images 1, 3, 4 from Architecture, Power and National Identity, images 2 from The Architcture of Diplomacy,... images 4, 5, 6 from Albert Speer, Architecture...
Architecture and Power
“In a totalitarian system art performs the function of transforming the raw material of dry ideology into fuel of images and myths intended for general consumption.” – Totalitarian Art
One way for a government to show its power in a build from is to refer to a style that has glorious connotations. As an example Washington has a lot of “democratic temples” while Hitler’s Berlin uses a dry classical style. It is interesting to note that most of Speer buildings where destroyed shortly after WWII.
“Design manipulation promotes this dual sense of alienation and empowerment .” – Architecture, Power and National Identity