But what is power but the ability to influence behaviour in other people? Is power always something that's "given"? That seems to make sense under rules and laws, but power can be conceptualized another way. Popularity can be a source of power even though it isn't explicitly given to that person by someone. Why should we bother with who's giving power when you can make your own?
Power can also take many forms. There is coercive power - that is, A forces B to do something they do not want to do, to put it another way, swinging a big stick. Yet there is also attractive power, dangling a carrot - A can offer B something they want or take away something they don't want. There is also structural power, in which A can design the world in such a way that makes it difficult for B to accomplish something. A hasn't done anything actively to B, yet the system has been set up in such a way to benefit A's goals. There is also mind-control power, in which A is able to convince B to think in a way he wants. I think popularity would fall under this last category.
Let's say I am a parent, and I want my child to lose some weight because he eats a lot. I can use coercive power and take away his privileges or attractive power and offer him rewards - maybe a PS4. I can also use structural power - I design the rules of the house in such a way that I regulate when we have meals and snacks, or even better, I control what kind of snacks we buy for the family when I go shopping, after all I am the parent and am in control of that. I can also use mind-control, in which I would convince him that dieting is for his own good and he should think to his long-term health (which kids are usually unable to do on their own).
I think it would be good to broaden our conception of power because we will find that a broad conception of power proves most useful, not only as a way of looking at the world but also in application. If all you thought about was power as is given to you, then of course that would drive you crazy as there is only so much to be given out. But there are other ways of pursuing power, and they are in no way less potent. Rule-given power is "for" mature people, yes. Is there really a limit though? This is probably why I'm a Slytherin.