Corruption Of Power

There is a famous quote by David Brin which states: “It is said that power corrupts. But actually it’s more true that power attracts the corruptible. The sane are usually attracted by other things than power.” This quote means that not everyone can be corrupted, but sometimes, people are too weak to handle the pressure. Additionally, power comes in many forms, but one way that really stands out is when it boils down to influence on other people. Furthermore, in real life and in novels, power often corrupts people and characters. In both the novels Lord of the Flies by William Golding and Catcher in the Rye by J.D Salinger, power has the ability to bring out the worst qualities in human nature in the antagonists, a concept that can be also be applied.

“I believe that the root of all evil is power,” (Patricia Cornwell). I think this quote says a lot about the power of power. Let’s think about some people who were incredibly evil. Hitler killed 11 million people (Schwartz), 49 million deaths were linked to Joseph Stalin (Ghosh), and Kim Jong-Un has executed 70 officials since coming into office in 2011 (Omara). That doesn’t even include all of the other people who have died because of him or who will die because of him in the future. What do all of these people have in common? Power. If none of these people had power, millions of lives could have been saved. But with all power comes evil, as proven by these three horrible people. Now, power may not be taken to this extent all the time. As

In 1887, historian John Dalberg-Acton asserted, "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." This theme has a prominent role in history, literature, and even current times. Certainly, many instances have occurred where once someone earns authority, they allow it to get to their head and do things they would not have done otherwise. Similarly, it is also seen that when one is inferior or beneath others, they receive a hunger for power. Specifically, a few prime examples of people who became corrupted because of their dominance include Marc Antony from Shakespeare's The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, Joseph Stalin, and Kim Jong-un. These rulers negatively impacted the places they ruled all because of their abusive tendencies that came with dominance.

Power is the ultimate goal of many throughout their life. If power is taken advantage of it

Tulia, a small town in Texas of just under five-thousand people, is a frightening example of how the judicial system is governed solely by racism as well as one corrupt man’s word. In 1999, nearly ten percent of the town’s African American population was arrested in a single drug bust. Of the forty-six people arrested, thirty-eight were African-American, furthermore all were convicted. The remaining seven arrested where know to associate more with the black community than the white in Tulia as well. With the towns income levels averaging at or below the poverty line, most arrested could not afford to hire a good attorney that cared or had the time to care, left therefore with one provided by the state. Consequently, convictions were up to ninety years in jail for allegedly selling three and a half grams, more commonly known as an eight ball, of cocaine in drug-free zones. In was only on appeals, that the convictions where revoked on insubstantial evidence.

Adversity; difficulties;misfortune, we experience adversity in many ways, in many different circumstances. Power causes division and spiteful behavior, although it may be viewed as a great thing to have. Power is reflected throughout history, present time, and even reflected in books, we've always faced problems with power. During the Industrial revolution, through the Factory owners, controlling many workers. Seen in present time with man taking advantage of others because of status. Finally it can even be seen in books such as The bean Trees, which is able to show a great representation of how power causes distress, rage, and can even causes backlash from many. Not having power may mean you don't have much decision making nor capability to do somethings. Many want to change their situation because where is the fun in being powerless. Adversity leads to rebellious

Power is the ability to control people in their actions. It gives you leverage over others. Power is like a drug, the more we have the more we want. Power makes people think their unstoppable. Our history proves how power corrupts people.

As defined by Merriam-Webster dictionary, power is the “possession of control, authority, or influence over others”. Power is frankly quite powerful when held in the hands of one person. It can cause a divide amongst families, countries, or even society for that matter. What really lies behind the true meaning of power is how it affects people, either negatively or positively. This ultimately causes people to feel differently depending on what is put into place by the one who holds the authority. Power can always be corrupt in many types of ways, but it can be more harmful to some than others and therefore does not affect everyone equally.

In the play “Antigone”, a princess wants to bury her dead brother Polyneices who has recently died. Creon, Antigone’s uncle, uses his power to stop anyone from burying the body of Polyneices. Antigone revolts, however, and decides to bury her brother despite the edict that Creon has created. Creon finds out about this and executes Antigone. The people pick up on this and invade Creon. Creon murders himself in the extent of this because he was corrupted by power and his entire family was slaughtered because of him. This is an example of power having a negative effect against people.

Having power is a good thing. But depending on how you use it, can turn things negative. Too much power can turn the world into a negative place. Violence and pure evil are ways too much power can be bad for the world.

When one is given excessive power it will bring a realm of destruction for everyone around them. While reading Antigone one can conclude. People with power have negative effects on others because they let the power go to their heads.

With power comes great responsibility. When people have too much power they don’t always know what to do with it. Power has a negative effect because those with too much become greedy with it.

Men in power have a choice to use their power wisely or to abuse it, but the choice is up to them. Men with power can change alot of people lives and change their fate, what they do with thier power can drive them mad or they can change lives for the good. Power givin to the wrong people cna have drastic outcomes.

Power and corruption are concepts that are difficult to fully understand. Several controversies occur within these topics. There are both conventional and unconventional ways of viewing power. In an attempt to make a claim contrary to common belief, David Brin stated, “It is said that power corrupts, but actually it’s more true that power attracts the corruptible.” This statement is not accurate because power is the corrupting device responsible for a plethora of downfalls leaders have experienced.

Absolute power tends to corrupt absolutely. Absolute power corrupts absolutely in many ways. Firstly, having too much power could change your actions in many ways. Secondly, having a lot of power could also change your thoughts or ways of thinking.Thirdly, it can also get out of hand or out of control if you have too much power. Some people,with too much power, use it to do bad things. On the other hand, others use it to do good.Absolute power corrupts absolutely.