It's chicken or egg question, perhaps - but before we stoop to temptation, don't we have to be a little bent?
2006-09-27 17:37:44 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Elections
Power does not always lead to corruption but it may. A person couldn't act corrupt if he/she never had a taste of what having power felt like. However, one has the potential to be corrupt if their individual self craves for power for personal uses and corruption only manifests in physical form when power is given.
On the other hand, those that are corrupt, or has the idea of exploiting the system for their own gains also have an advantage over other people because of the gains. The question is if the system recognizes the corruption before the corrupt affect the system to their favor.
Simply put, one must know what having power and its capabilities before corrupt thoughts come into their mind. However, once corruption is manifested in reality, the person will work to secure their power and keep their corrupted ways.
Power is independent of all factors but corruption depends on having power.
2006-09-27 17:51:29 · answer #1 · answered by leikevy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would not expect someone who is corrupt to "bloom" with power. However, you never know.
Power can definitely show a person's true colors. Perhaps the good are better (because of their wider influence) and the bad are worse (for the same reason).
2006-09-28 00:42:18 · answer #2 · answered by k 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Very few politicians get elected based on a desire to pervert the trappings of the office they seek for personal gain. At least at first.
They make "compromises" to get support - and down that road lays the "corruption" that everyone talks about. Each compromise becomes easier, and more justifiable. I mean, I have to stay in power to do what I was elected to do, right? So making this small compromise will allow me, in the long run, to do the right thing....
2006-09-28 01:38:17 · answer #3 · answered by jbtascam 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lord Acton was right: Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. We're seeing the evidence of this right now in the Bush White House, when Bush feels that he is above the law when it comes to duly adopted legislation and torture policies and the Patriot Act. Hopefully, we survive this president.
2006-09-28 01:43:44 · answer #4 · answered by Shelley 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Power most definitely has a way of "going to some people's head"and corrupts, or maybe it just brings to light the darkside that was there all along.
2006-09-28 01:37:48 · answer #5 · answered by Girl Next Door 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Corruption occurs when someone already have power. Thus, money on gets in when a person already has power such as occupying a position in government or has discretion in the adjudication of cases such as a judge.
2006-09-28 01:46:20 · answer #6 · answered by FRAGINAL, JTM 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Definitely agree with jalea, you are already corrupt or easily corruptible. If you are a moral person you are more likely to temper your use of power, but you still use it to attain your goals.
2006-09-28 00:57:24 · answer #7 · answered by Kainoa 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The corrupt get power. I mean they have to be in order to get that power. I also think that power corrupts them even more! so BOTH!!!!!!!
2006-09-28 10:47:33 · answer #8 · answered by missyloowho 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would venture to guess that power corrupts. You see it in elections all the time. People are elected based on "values", etc, etc, etc, and then they get power, and it all goes right out the window.
2006-09-28 00:45:51 · answer #9 · answered by el_scorcho6 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i agree with shelley....
POWER CORRUPTS AND ABSOLUTE POWER CORRUPTS ABSOLUTELY.
2006-09-28 07:55:58 · answer #10 · answered by pathik 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋