I think D/s is very much about cooperation.
The dominant wants, and in some cases needs, that submission from a sub to have that perceived control of them to protect them.
The submissive wants, and or needs, that feeling of control and protection from the dom.
It is an exchange...but if there were no cooperation, none of that would happen. even in a M/s relationship, the Master has to be willing to accept service and submission from the slave, and the slave must be willing to give it, otherwise the whole relationship falls apart. There has to be an equal amount of "energy" exchanged in order for any of it to work. If the "energy" wasnt equal, the relationship would only have energy going in one direction.
And love plays such an important part. I feel that love is one of the most powerful forces in the world. Love drives us to do extraordinary things. It can be both great and terrible at the same time.
This is just my opinion, and I tend to see things in the bdsm world in my own special way, sometimes completely against what others see how it happens. And because I am new to BDSM, my views may come to change in time, but this is how I see it right now.....and my journey and exploration is continuing.