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In case of an external conflict or opposition, the} figsi- ak
tion of the subordinate becomes very different *f his relationship
 involves only a partial submission and fxaves him
a great deal of freedom and spontaneity. In that dasé the!
subordinate is left the possibility of choosing between Siperiors,
 and through that fact he obtains in relation to each
of them, and perhaps in his own feeling in relation to both,
a certain independence which he would not have had with
only a single master. A similar advantage accrues to the
subordinate if the superiors succeed each other while the
former remains. The Roman senate was theoretically subordinate
 to the high state officials. The officials, however,
served for only a short period, while membership in the senate
 was permanent. The result was that in actuality this
hody had a far greater power in its dealings with state officials
 than it was legally given. This is only a special instance
 of a general correlation. In the relationship between
groups and their varying members or outsiders there accrues
 a special power to the group through the mere fact of
ts persistence. This occurs not only if the group is subordinate,
 but also if the group is superior. It is manifest
in the authority of the state and the church over their individual
 members, which is among other things also due
to the fact that they have, compared to the short lives of
their members, a relatively eternal existence.
A similar advantage for the subordinate may result if
his superiors are themselves placed in some kind of juxtaposition.
 A subvassal immediately subject to the king has
a certain independence and strength in his relations to the
vassal which would be absent if the first relationship did
not exist. If the form of the social structure is such that a
rombination between the highest and lowest elements
against the middle group is impossible, there results a situation
 which is most unfortunate for the lower circles. If

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