"it does not take well-developed political skills to rule over creatures smaller than you are, weaker than you are, and completely dependent upon you for survival or thriving."

Truly spoken as someone who has not spent much time caring for children. At least, I hope not. The implication that being smaller than you gives you more power, only makes sense if you are going to consistently use physical force to ensure compliance. The fact they are completely dependent on you only gives you power if you are willing to keep basic necessities from them to coerce them into compliance.

Otherwise, political skills are going to be pretty darn handy at times.