Disempowered

The poor are often disempowered by the language practices of those in power.

The Bolsheviks disempowered the workers' councils, replacing them with direct Bolshevik rule under the veneer of council rule.

The "Soviet Union" was a misnomer, as it actually disempowered the soviets and subjugated them to the Communist Party leadership.

When Adam Hussein founded the station, he hoped to give a voice to disempowered residents by highlighting issues that directly touch their daily lives.

Empowered staff deliver the goods and exceed your expectations. Disempowered staff develop a 'sullen obedience' where they stop driving new initiatives and just await orders.