I think there are at least 2 schools of thought concerning 'power'; that which bases its foundation in 'stability', and that which sees 'chaos' as the way to 'power'. Throughout history, i believe we can find many examples of each; and the types and amounts of 'stability' and 'chaos' vary in degrees, depending on the source of 'power' at any particular time in history. For instance, the original concept of the UN was a power based on stability and unity; (creating Yugoslavia, (as the UN predecessor, League of Nations), overseeing the rebuilding of devestated WW11 nations, etc.
On the other hand, Hitler's regime were geniuses at creating and using chaos to build their power. Before invading a nation, the Nazis would establish a 'Fifth Column', behind enemies lines, by using the old addage, 'divide and conquer', (as was done in preWW11 Yugoslavia, where the Nazis used the Ustashi, with help from a large segment of the Roman Catholic clergy. The Nazi-sympathisers created divisions by exploiting and distorting the religious differences of the Slav, Croat, Serb, and Masedonian peoples, who were divided into mostly Eastern Orthadox and Roman Catholic.)
This 'chaos' or 'divide and conquer' concept has been around since man. There are times in history that are more waring, where chaos is the order of the world, in general, and more peaceful times, when unity and stability are in control. Those who rely heavily on the 'chaos factor', are generally more motivated by a feeling of superiority and greed, and seem to have little, if any, humanity in them. Those who rely too heavily on the 'chaos factor' are of graver danger to the entire world, in modern times, (technology has had the effect of making the world smaller and the weapons larger).
And, unfortunately, the times of peace are usually shorter and not as all inclusive, as the war times. In fact, it seems the the peace times are merely intermissions for the war times.
At present, we have entered, what i believe to be, perhaps the most all-inclusive, and most dangerous, of history's war times. Modern technology has allowed a handful of very greedy and very superior-feeling people to unite and gain the controls of power around the world, (from governments to influential social organizations to religious groups to terrorists, etc.).
The present reign of chaos began shortly after WW11, with an agreement among most of the great world powers of the time, to wreek havoc and chaos mainly in the 3rd world. America took care of the western hemisphere, while Europe and Japan divided the rest of the world up, and Russia and China also gained 'spheres of influence'. The histories of the 3rd world countries, since WW11 is full of chaos, regime changes, death squads, juntas, dictators, poverty, diseases, etc. Much of the chaos is directly related to actions and specific inactions in the 3rd world. Proof enough of this is seen every time the people, (after many years of struggle and violence and a lot of blood and life-loss), of an oppressed nation overthrow the puppet regime, the puppets flee, with impunity, to wealthy and comfortable lives, in one of the 'great power nations', like France, England, America, etc., who have all, at one time or another, offered and given sanctuary to some of the most despicable and ruthless rulers in history, including the Duvaliers, the Sha of Iran, Marcos, etc.