It's not that power corrupts--

[Mythsaje]

or that absolute power corrupts absolutely,
it's that power attracts the corruptible."

Does anyone besides me agree with this statement? Disagree?

I'm curious.

[Ready4Change]

1. Maybe "Power exposes corruptability"?

Discuss. :)

[Solly Mack]

2. Frank Herbert agreed

and I agree with Frank Herbert :)

[Mythsaje]

6. That's where I got it n/t

[Solly Mack]

7. Dune freak here.

:)

[Mythsaje]

8. Me too

I think I've read the whole series at least ten times by now.

[Hugin]

3. Power attracts the weak.

There are people who are attracted to power to
attempt to make up for some personality defect.

What else could explain muscle cars. *jab* ;)

[lonestarnot]

13. I couldn't have said it better myself!

[SnoopDog]

4. Add in greed, since they are robbing us blind...

[welshTerrier2]

5. yes, i agree and disagree ...

that absolute power corrupts absolutely does not preclude absolute power from attracting the corruptible ...

[CrispyQ]

9. I've always thought that there are some occupations

that attract exactly the type of people who should not be in those positions. Law enforcement, politicians, management. That's not to say that everyone in these occupations is corrupt, but I'll bet the percentages are much higher.

[Mythsaje]

10. I would tend to agree n/t

[SujiwanKenobee]

11. Attainment of power is one factor and types of power

People who actively seek a position of power may be motivated by too much ego in the first place. Putting yourself first in the equation, whether for self-strokes or because you feel you have the answer to some societal urgency automatically colors the outcome.

Non-seekers of power who are installed by the desires of a party of believers are subject to the faulty reasoning and emotions of the group's desires.

There is also demagogic power, local power, national and international power--all of which requires a different caliber of personality and the ability to persuade and attract.

There are few people who can be in a position of power who have the necessary qualities to get past their personal faults, see beyond their immediate group and have the wisdom to make choices for the collective that are far-seeing and positive. Those right choices could well involve pain and discomfort. We are notorious for avoiding pain in return for short term solutions and immediate gratification.

Who held the reins of power in history and answered this description?
Who were "light bringers"? I don't know that the individuals own lives are always "virtuous", but they may connect with a bigger picture. (Thinking FDR, here).
Perhaps the exercise of true rulership is always destructive in some way to break down the old structures.

[Mythsaje]

12. I don't think it's TOO much ego...

I think it's not enough. Lack of ability for self-actualization/affirmation leads people to look for it outside of themselves. Those who gather power to feed this hunger always need more to satiate themselves. It's like a drug with tolerance for how much power they need ever increasing.

[SujiwanKenobee]

14. Balance

A person needs to be already self-actualized, i.e. have their personality in order BEFORE they can become leaders that can handle power. You can have too much ego as well as not enough. Balance in all things, imho.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

15. As an anarchist, I'll stick with the original.

Power, in itself, is corrupt and corrupting. Whether wielded "benevolently" or tyranically. The idea of a ruling class, whether inherited, bought, or even "democratically" elected is inequality.

Is there a workable answer? Beats me.

[Mythsaje]

16. I personally believe

there is no worse crime than abuse of power. There are crimes equally bad, of course, but none worse.

[johnaries]

17. My theory is that people who seek to gain or retain power

do so because of their own feelings of inadequacy in controlling their own lives. Therefore, the more control they can gain over others and their surroundings, the more the illusion that they have control over their lives.

Often, an outwardly over-inflated ego is a symptom of over-compensation for inward feelings of inadequacy.

When I was a kid, I noticed that bullies often become bullies to overcome a poor self-image instilled by their own home life. I was bullied quite a bit when I was in school. And I hated those bullies - until I found out what their home life was like. Then I felt sorry for them.

That's my theory, anyway.

edit: kan't spel.

[Mythsaje]

19. Absolutely right

It's all an illusion. The cockiest sonofabitch in a bar is actually the one who's most afraid of everyone around him. He will do nearly ANYTHING to prove he's not afraid...even though he is.

Everyone has the same fears--what differentiates us is how we deal with them.

[Name removed]

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