no flames please, power steering question

[Carl Jarrett]

I have no idea how this all works but anyhow! My old car, a MR2 turbo,
had manual steering and was available with power assist. I LOVED the
steering feel of having no power steering. Can power steering or assist
be disabled on most cars? Or will that make it much too hard to steer?
Just wonder how it all works. Thanks for subsiding my curiosity!
 Carl