Political power is the right of making laws, with penalties up to death, for the preserving of property, employing the force of community in the execution of such laws, in defence of the commonwealth, and only for the common good.
Gist of Idea
Politics is the right to make enforceable laws to protect property and the state, for the common good
John Locke (Second Treatise of Government , 003)
Since political power can be used for selfish corruption and genocide, this isn't very accurate, so I take it this is how power ought to be exercised! Notice that defence gets equal billing with his famous defence of property.
Locke,John: 'Two Treatises of Government' [Everyman 1988], p.118