Power is “the possession of control or command over others; authority; ascendancy”. (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/power). A leader gaining power can be a very good thing for the people they govern, but becoming powerful causes some people to become selfish and greedy. Power does corrupt, but the real question is does power corrupt the person in control? For example, Sheila Dixon had a plan to make Baltimore a better place, but ended up making some selfish mistakes that potentially put her and the city in a bad position. In historic times, Alexander the Great was set on revenge, but power conquered over retaliation. Power can cause either good or bad things to happen to people, but it can also corrupt.
Power corrupts because people become selfish and want more power. By doing this, they hurt the citizens they govern and themselves. Most of these people originally set out to do good things, cause success, change the bad, and help everyone, but become absorbed into money, ego, and greed. Lord Acton explains this fantastically in his statement about power, “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men.” He is saying that power does corrupt, and higher power tends to corrupt more often. Also, it was very powerful when he said “Great men are almost always bad men.” If a person is a very powerful leader, and des great things, it is almost inevitable for them to make a mistake and possibly corrupt their power. (http://lesswrong.com/lw/uu/wbhy_does_power_corrupt/). Great leaders can also be bad leaders through one simple mistake.
Sheila Dixon set out on a mission to make Baltimore a better city. In 2007, she ran for mayor defeating to competitors with 63% of the vote. She made some significant changes in the city and gained popularity among the citizens. (http://www.baltimoresun.com/topic/politics/government/sheila-dixon-PEPLT007483.topic). All of this attention made her feel on top of the world, because she had power. This all changed four years ago, when she was charged with accepting illegal gifts. These gifts included “travel, furs, and gift cards intended for the poor.” More evidence came up of these wrong doings through the years. (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/01/09/baltimore-mayor-sheila-di_n_156687.html). She was tried this year, and found guilty with the “serious felony theft charge.” Just recently she resigned as mayor, and plans to start a new chapter in her life. (http://www.theroot.com/buzz/baltimores-mayor-liked-gift-cards-too-much). Dixon was very selfish when she did this. She had a lot of power in this city, but threw it all away by being greedy.
Alexander the Great was one of the most interesting conquerors of all history. He was born to the King of Macedonia. When he was about twenty, his father died and he was crowned King. Alexander wanted to get revenge on the Persians for the Persian war. Trying to get to Persia, he traveled to many different places. He ended up in Egypt at one point, and all of the Egyptians loved him, because they also had a strong hate for the Persians, like Alexander. In 333 B.C. he met the Persians on the battlefield. Alexander’s strategy was so good, he easily went through the Persians ending up yards away from the Persian king, Darius. Killing Darius, Alexander defeated the Persians and fulfilled his dream of getting revenge on the Persians. (http://www.dragonrest.net/histories/alexander.html). Alexander the Great then conquered the entire known world. Alexander didn’t have to conquer the entire world, but he wanted more power. He corrupted his power for himself. He didn’t care how many men he lost during battles, he just wanted more and more power. Although he was a great leader, he was only worried about what he wanted.
Power corrupts through want of more power, money, and greed. People like Sheila Dixon, and Alexander the Great abused their power for themselves. They did many great things for the people they govern, but corrupted their power for selfish reasons. They didn’t intend to corrupt their power, but became caught in the selfish world of power. These people feel like they are so good, they will never get caught. I do believe corrupts, but it more corrupts the person in control, with all of the power.
"Baltimore mayor Sheila Dixon convicted of in gift card scandal." Home | The Root. Web. 26 Feb. 2010. .
"Histories/ Alexander the Great." Dragonrest - The Art of Marguerite Wolf. Web. 26 Feb. 2010. .
"Sheila Dixon : Sheila Dixon News and Photos - baltimoresun.com." Baltimore Sun breaking news, sports, weather and traffic in Baltimore - baltimoresun.com. Web. 25 Feb. 2010. .
"Sheila Dixon: Indicted For Using Money For The Poor On A Personal Shopping Spree." Breaking News and Opinion on The Huffington Post. Web. 26 Feb. 2010. .
"Washington, DC US Capitol Building on Flickr - Photo Sharing!" Welcome to Flickr - Photo Sharing. Web. 26 Feb. 2010. .
"Why Does Power Corrupt?" Less Wrong. Web. 26 Feb. 2010. .
Picture From: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mbell1975/2305292293/
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