I am a writer, and I need to understand: Why do some people crave power, to the point of killing?

Question

I've never craved power, and I've never understood why anyone would. However, I've observed this as a common motive for acts of extreme evil, and in order to make my book as good as possible, I need to understand this facet of the human condition.

To clarify my question, I'm mystified as to why anyone would crave power over others, since said power would require micromanagement and responsibility. Even if such a madman decided to ignore those inconveniences, what emotions, what sensations, what scheming and reasoning and self-justification takes place in the human mind to make one think killing and maiming is justifiable means for them to attain power? What do they think they'll do with it, once they get it? I just don't grasp the whole concept. Pharaohs built pyramids, then what? Napoleon and Hitler and others conquered nations, to what end? I understand rage, vengeance, hatred. But there seems to be something that drives a CEO to climb the ladder, even after he has more money than he can hope to spend in his lifetime. Why? I seek to understand that CEO's drive.

Answer 1

maybe its that some ppl dont have control over things in their life, so when they do have it, they just need more and more. you know maybe they were made fun of when they were younger and now that they have worked their was up whatever chain that it is(drugs, law, exc) and they are the ones calling the shots and making ppl feel the way they did... or maybe they just have something in their brain that is different then yours, like ppl that are bi-polar, their chemicals and unbalanced.... does that make sense?

Answer 2

i love to write and i believe that the only reason they and rmyself crave this horror is because it brings supense and an eye opening new look on devoius things that we normally don't think about or even wonder about but when it's written in a book it really brings out the other side of bad and horror inside of a common book of love and such wich many already have been there and it's same old to them .


*hey did i give the best answer?*

Answer 3

i've seen a TV show once about human crave for power, the show talked about an expriment made by a university proffessor to study this flaw in the human nature, he selected 2groups of students, prisoners and guards, the test was supposed to go for 3 weeks to study the students' behaviour, within few days, the guards started abusing the prisoners and ill-treat them and complain to proffessor about the prisoners telling him that they r really bad and they should be imprisoned for good and so on, the proffessor aborted the experement cause it really got out of hand, and his conclusion was that it's a flaw in the human nature to crave power to that extent,
the show alsow talked about old movies and literature discussing this matter such as the future life where goverments control how ppl live under very strick orders and regimes....
personaly, I think it's human nature to seek power alongside with other nasty things, we all do with different ratios.

Answer 4

Its all about control and self entitlement, They think its their right to be in power so they can kill anyone who dissagrees, read about some leaders like Hitler or Stalin,

Answer 5

Trying to keep open to new possibilities. Trying to stay out of the drivers seat but to help others make their dreams come true

Answer 6

because they cannot trust other people in a normal way.
Therefore they need control and power and dislike dependency.
Seems to be a damage from early childhood.

Answer 7

well i think that in books and stories it just makes it more fun to read but in real life i think people these days r just crazy and well r a waste of Gods breathe thats what i think...

Answer 8

I am a writer as well; and sad to say...we will not ever understand bnecause its about power and money....