This paper examines how far Sustainable Livelihoods analysis helps in understanding the complex power relations influencing the rightful access by the poor to assets and entitlements. These also influence the range of feasible livelihood options, and the type and level of benefits they generate. These power relations have political dimensions, and to consider them in terms of a sixth capital asset – political capital – provides the basis for a more structured and rigorous analysis of power than is generally achieved if they are merely considered part of the ‘policies, institutions and processes’ within the SL analytical framework.