Does power always corrupt?

Answer 1

not if the person concernd has the sence to ask God for the wisdom to ues it.

Answer 2

Power corrupts because Human nature makes it Very addictive. Once you have it you desire more, and the more you got, the more you want to get.
As one who has held positions of power, I can describe in detail the feelings that change as you come into the power. its the comfort that you get in the power, the relaxation with the ability to control. it is too easy to slip over the edge of corruption.

However there are some who can be called incorruptible, From the Noble George Washington, to the Blessed Mother Teresa, Cross the world you will find some who seem impervious to the Saying.

Power Corrupts, but not always.

Answer 3

I believe not always. There have been a few benevolent dictators in history who had near-absolute power but used it for the betterment of their countries and people.

I think it may depend on how you get that power in the first place. For example, in business it is much harder to gain power if you are a nice guy and give everything away. It is much easier to beat the competition if you don't have strong morals. So the people who come out on top tend to be jerks.

Politics seems to work the same way.

Answer 4

that is dependent on the person, you see, nowadays there is a dire shortage of person with morals, honour, integrity ,values.most persons will ready throw there beliefs overboard if there is a personal advantage on sight, for example,in a buildingsite i once worked, the builder offered the supervisor, sitemanager,foreman and qantity surveyer a vast bonus system if they could finish the project below cost projection and time. They did and earned themselves high 5 figure bonuses , but they achieved this by getting rid of the craftsman on the site and replacing them with cheap cowboys, use substandard building material and only apply or even undercut minimum specs. the building ? finished, 43 luxury apartments, 29 sold, 29 owners trying to get the builder into court, the apartments themselves? nobody wants to buy them, there that bad (qualitywise) , and this applies to all, politicians, who need to do favours inorder to achieve higher office, in the office comunity, everywhere, and it is a rare thing to find somebody who is integer and has his beliefs, because he is the one normally at the bottom, unemployable as a troublemaker, as he insist on doing perfect work, using the right material, and so on,
so
does power corrupt?
i think it does , in maybe as much as 999/1000

Answer 5

Only absolute power, and that corrupts absolutely. For instance, Hitler, Saddam, etc.

Your question is a dangerous generalization; depends on the type and level of power; the strength of those under your power, etc. I have power over my dog, but she is treated well. And for those talking about Bush and Blair, the POWER lies with the people, and the majority of people could make any change they see fit, perhaps you are not actually in the majority, as you think.

Answer 6

No, not to everyone. The ole saying "Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely" is incorrect. POWER corrupts. Again, this is to some people. A 'large' some of people....

Answer 7

Almost always.

The only exception I can think of right at this moment is Cincinatus. He was a retired Roman Senator who lived on a farm. He became the Emperor during a time of crisis for Rome. When the crisis had passed he simply retired back to his farm.

Answer 8

No. having power doesn't mean you will use it wrongly. It is a strong temptation but nothing else. Does every husband or wife commit adultery? No. You are given the power to do something, it doesn't mean you have to. The human will and fredom of choice is always present.

Answer 9

Power never corrupts the uncorrupted.

Answer 10

almost always. not EVERY single president's term ended in scandal, but that might be because of all of the publicity they get, that most try not to screw up. come to think of it, they don't get as much power as one would think... i dont think power corrupts as often as it disturbs and changes. i mean, all of those wealthy emperors had more than one wife, and polygamists, and their wives didnt care. but maybe they just had different values in people and didnt care about STD's.

Answer 11

It's human nature, right? I think in some cases it does, but in others it doesn't completely. Most people in power don't display it the best way possible though, so I know where you're coming from.