Susceptibility to Corruption

“All power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” is a quote from Lord John Dalberg-Acton, explaining that any amount of power can corrupt the mind, but absolute power will take over. This is represented throughout history: in politics, monarchies and times like the french revolution. Many writers have used this theme in their works. One work that includes this theme is William Shakespeare's Macbeth. The play Macbeth follows Macbeth, a brave warrior as he gains power from his deeds both good and bad. By killing the Duncan, the former king, Macbeth rises to power and takes control of his country. With every bit of power that the Macbeth’s gain, they become more and more corrupt.

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.

What is the cause? What is the effect? These two questions can greatly impact the mind of a person and broaden their view on subjects. One of which, is the age old issue of power and corruption. "It is said that power corrupts, but actually it 's more true that power attracts the corruptible." --David Brin. Does power cause corruption, or does the corrupted attract and gain the power? The truth is that it is power that causes corruption. Moreover, it is the idea of power that causes corruption.

The Progress movement or as many refer to as the Progressive era, was a time frame where Americans joined in varying groups to advocate reform across the United States. To elaborate, Progressives believed in widespread change for child labor, industrialization, government, racial reform, and women’s rights. Countless stories of corruption in these areas were brought to light in the Progressive era mostly due to the published writings of Muckrakers. Muckrakers, were journalists who wrote for popular magazines that attempted to expose corrupt political activities from their investigative journalism. Furthermore, I will discuss and compare these groups and their attempts for changes in the rights of child labor, women, acknowledgment of corrupt government practices, racial relations, and industrialization reform.

“Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men,” quoting historian Lord Acton. Before reading the quote, I never noticed the relationship between power and corruption in the real world. I thought of power as a form of recognition for hard work, that in turn is a positive outcome. After putting some thought into it, I realized my mistake

Recently, everyone has begun to wonder the same thing: why are so many leaders so… corrupt? Why do they care only about a miniscule group of people, throwing aside morals altogether? The feeling of power creates a superiority complex, letting power go to a leader’s head and giving them the desire and means to execute terrible things. This is a problem because many people in our world acquire their power because others believe they can improve the world. Once power takes control, they become corrupt. It is essential for the public to understand this because otherwise, people in power will gain this complex.

Corruption has always been a danger to law enforcement, just as it has been a danger to all of mankind since the beginning of time. Since the very first police agency was formed in the 1800s, corruption has been widespread. The 19th century was an era in which politics played a very large role in police forces. Various political parties essentially had some police departments in their pockets, and as long as officers served to further those political parties’ agendas, the officers’ continued employment was guaranteed. Since politicians have not always been known for being straight-laced, one can easily see how corruption within police departments became prevalent. Since officers were not serving the people, but rather the political elite, their motives were constantly in question. It was not long before politicians began employing police officers to overlook and even protect their illicit activities. Through this practice, officers began to see the potential monetary and political benefits of allowing and participating in certain illegal actions. Even after the establishment of countermeasures such as police commissions, civil service exams, and legislative changes, corruption remained rampant. This corruption was perhaps best exemplified by none other than the actions of many officers within the Rampart Division of the Los Angeles Police Department.

I Think corruption starts within organizations is when There are no authority checks and balances that effects the mindset and integrity of The employees who are in high management positions and also working within the any department of a government sector or business. With the economy growing in many states corruption decreases because jobs are able to pay people well and not below what the job position requires. Many factors play when it comes to corruption because it starts from home so a family or person can live well and a major factor can be the strength of the state presidency office if, the presidency for the state is not strong and showing good change to help the state in bad times people start to lose motivation and practices that things will get better and decide to take things in their own hands as for corruption.

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.

tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men."

In The Crucible, by Arthur Miller, the Salem court gradually transformed from its original judicial goals to corruption, which strengthened Miller’s argument of the susceptibility of legal systems to ungodliness. Since Miller was suddenly listed as a sinner due to an accusation, he wrote this play as a commentary to the Puritan society and the corruption of officials. Situational irony was heavily utilized to contrast the original goals of a just theocracy to the resulting court corruption. In the beginning, the court strived to achieve equity and fairly punish sinners. However, the court then used the concept of “devil” to manipulate anyone

Behind every great leader is a system of hard workers, and their job is to guide them and provide them with opportunity. One ex-worker for Bell Pottinger, when discussing why the employees of the company would commit to corruption, explained, “Your boss tells you to do something, so you do it“ (Kale). The leaders of this organization did not guide their employees properly. Instead, they found that the employees would follow them blindly into the void - if they only asked. Corruption is found in a leader taking advantage of their

Throughout history, there are endless examples of people who became leaders and let the power they gained corrupt them. Some started as kind and generous humans and then turned to selfish, greedy dictators. One example of the corruption that comes with power can be seen in the events of the Russian Revolution which led to the death and destruction of a plethora of Russians under the communist rulers who let power corrupt them. George Orwell uses his novel Animal Farm as an allegory for readers to have insight into the corruption that power can bring. Power corrupts those who possess it because it makes them selfish, it makes them lie and be dishonest to serve their own agendas, and it leads them to compromise their morals.

The unlawful use of a person’s position while in power leads to multiple problems with today’s government. The corrupt methods politicians use are ideas that are strictly in place for personal gain. Present throughout history and still prevalent within today’s world, government corruption has consisted of a number of negative issues including bribery, economic and social impacts, and the misuse of power. Government’s role within daily life has been shown to have negative effects as seen in many aspects of life as well as in literature.

Corruption comes primarily in two forms evil and political in most cases when discussing a government or person. Corruption in the government is typically due to money and the desires of the people who or person who creates the government system. Corruption is viewed as evil because a person with bad intentions or personal interest that only benefits him or she is considered corrupt. In the Man of the People, Chief Nanga is considered corrupt in many ways, but in the African society, he was not considered corrupt as the book may allude to. The people of the African society were accustomed to such behavior and treatment. Ultimately the concepts of corruption are viewed differently depending on what that society may view as corrupt and what is the norm.