“Power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely.” Is this so? Why is this so? What can be done about it?
It has become clichéd to say that power corrupts. It is often stated that power corrupts anyone, and examples are can easily be listed, but this alone does not provide evidence that it is power that corrupts a person. Socialization of individuals, through family, social, religious, and cultural values, plays a major part in how they behave and how they would lead given power over others. Power attracts those who wish to use it. Both the most hated and revered leaders in history have been drawn to power as a way of accomplishing their goals. Positions of power attract individuals who wish to power in a corrupt way. In these cases the seed of corruption had already been sowed in the hearts and minds of these individuals long before they had power. It may be the case that the corrupt individuals are not shown for what they are until they have power to abuse, or in some cases individuals are never exposed for abusing their power. However, it is not true that power is guaranteed to corrupt. Several examples of uncorrupted leaders can be given throughout history. Leaders can be named in many areas, backgrounds, and settings that have not been corrupted by their power. Maybe it is optimistic or idealistic view but I do not subscribe to the notion that every person is corruptible, and that by giving them power it is only a matter of time until they become corrupted.
That said power still can still be used by corrupt individuals. In a complex organization it is important to have checks on power. One of the ways that the use of power can be monitored is through a system of checks and balances. An example of this would be dividing governing bodies into three branches similar to the federal government of the United States. Each branch has power which it can exercise to a number of goals, but they also have the ability to check the other to be sure the power is not being exploited. It is important to set up checks and balances to guard against the misuse of power and to make sure that no individual abuses the power given to them.
Power Corrupts?
ReplyDelete“Power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely.” Is this so? Why is this so? What can be done about it?
It has become clichéd to say that power corrupts. It is often stated that power corrupts anyone, and examples are can easily be listed, but this alone does not provide evidence that it is power that corrupts a person. Socialization of individuals, through family, social, religious, and cultural values, plays a major part in how they behave and how they would lead given power over others. Power attracts those who wish to use it. Both the most hated and revered leaders in history have been drawn to power as a way of accomplishing their goals. Positions of power attract individuals who wish to power in a corrupt way. In these cases the seed of corruption had already been sowed in the hearts and minds of these individuals long before they had power. It may be the case that the corrupt individuals are not shown for what they are until they have power to abuse, or in some cases individuals are never exposed for abusing their power. However, it is not true that power is guaranteed to corrupt. Several examples of uncorrupted leaders can be given throughout history. Leaders can be named in many areas, backgrounds, and settings that have not been corrupted by their power. Maybe it is optimistic or idealistic view but I do not subscribe to the notion that every person is corruptible, and that by giving them power it is only a matter of time until they become corrupted.
That said power still can still be used by corrupt individuals. In a complex organization it is important to have checks on power. One of the ways that the use of power can be monitored is through a system of checks and balances. An example of this would be dividing governing bodies into three branches similar to the federal government of the United States. Each branch has power which it can exercise to a number of goals, but they also have the ability to check the other to be sure the power is not being exploited. It is important to set up checks and balances to guard against the misuse of power and to make sure that no individual abuses the power given to them.