...How Are Power and Corruption Related? by Sebastian Sandoval "Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely." – Lord John Dalberg-Acton Macbeth and Lord of the Flies depict power and corruption. However in Macbeth's case it is his fear of being forgotten that leads to his ambitions for power and in turn corrupts him. In Lord of the Flies we see Jack's ambition to become chief corrupt him into doing whatever it takes to achieve that position. Both works seem to coincide with Hobbes theory that "man is naturally savage" and that savagery combined with the notion of power can only lead to one thing, corruption. In this essay the relationship between power and corruption will be explored through the lens of three texts: Macbeth by William Shakespeare (1623), Lord of the Flies by William Golding (1954), and Of Man, Being the First Part of Leviathan by Thomas Hobbes (1651). Let us begin with The Tragedy of Macbeth. Throughout the play, we see Macbeth change from a noble and brave soldier into a shadow of his former self. In the beginning we see an internal struggle with the decision to kill King Duncan. This is most clearly depicted in act I when Macbeth says, "We will proceed no further in this business. He hath honored me of late,"(1.7. 28-30 ). It is after the murder of Duncan that we begin to notice a sinister change. Macbeth begins to murder anyone who has or could get in his way even his friend Banquo. In act 3 Macbeth's plan is first revealed in his conversation...
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...Machiavelli (1882) justifies this conclusion by saying that people are fickle. They will pledge their lives when danger is distant and benefits are high, but desert those to whom they pledge their lives when danger is imminent. The person who places love above all else is in danger during times of crisis. Conversely, men are careful not to offend those they fear, because they fear the punishment and are more likely to remain true to their pledge. There is a caution in this assertion to know the difference between fear and hatred and the recommendation is to be feared, but not hated. Man should strive to be in control of that which is can and not rely on the uncontrollable. Since love is dependent the perception of others and fear is dependent upon actions, man should build on the actions he can control but to do so in such a way as to escape hatred. Pastin and Hooker (1980) state that the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) is legislation designed to prevent bribery of foreign officials and other payments for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business. The legislation is an attempt to address the problem of corruption, but rather than address bribery from a moral perspective, Pastin and Hooker (1980) raise the issue of whether the legislation itself is moral. They offer two tests to assess the morality of the legislation: the End-Point Assessment and the Rule Assessment tests. End-Point rule tests whether the legislation is of benefit to the well-being of society and...
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...Power and Influence: "Absolute power: All leaders should seek it" I - Introduction. - Paraphrase the question. - Your opinion: Strongly disagree with the topic. II - Mainbody. 1. Dask side: power corruption, abuse of power, power reduces empathy, abusive authority. 2. Define power, influence. The difference of power and influence. Sources of Power (French & Raven). 3. Beside the power, leader should looking for the influence. (Example). How leaders can use influence tactics (cite a few) in order to boost their influence. III - Conclusion. - Rephase the introduction. _____________________________________________________________ Introduction. Main body. Leaders shouldn't maintain too much power. Because power can have negative consequence such as corruption, workplace aggression, and abusive authority. Dask Side: - In Corruption: ‘attempts to create power by investing in outside option can lead to opportunistic behavior in the exchange relationships’ – (Malhotra & Gino). Power like a drug, some leaders who have power can probadly get drunk and want more than that, they become manipulators. Leaders will try to control their follower’s behavior to do what they want. This causes to followes feel uncomfortable and want to leave the companies. - In Workplace Aggression, ‘Efforts by individuals to harm others with whom they work’ – (Neuman & Baron). With power, leaders may abuse it in wrong way like push someone...
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...Corruption is Vampirism For centuries, vampires have always been the symbol of corruption. It has been said and illustrated by many in books and essays that corruption is extremely similar to vampirism. It starts off with just one and it then multiples like cancer, dominating the society. Once corruption starts, it spreads so quickly that it is as though it is impossible to stop it. In Salem’s Lot, King uses vampires coming into the town to symbolize its destruction due to the corruption within a society. Salem’s Lot vampires’ thirst for blood is represented as the political corruption that destructs the society. The wealth and the power are the blood that the corrupted are in constant hunger for; no matter how much they have, there is never enough to satisfy them. Vampirism is symbolic of corruption. Mirroring vampires’ desire for blood, the corrupted always desire more money and more power; the more they have, the more they want. According to Casebeer, “King has created many novels which allegorically address current social dilemmas: the corruption of school and church, the government, the small town, the family, and etc.” (43) In 1975, King wrote his novel, the Salem’s Lot demonstrating the vampires’ invasion to the town as a symbol of the corruption in the world. Mr. Straker and Mr. Barlow are the outsiders that stand for the beginning of a corrupted society. A vampire comes Chiu 2 to the small town of Jerusalem's Lot, Maine. He converts some of the people...
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...The film Reportero encapsulates many of the ideals and themes that have been examined in the Human Rights in Latin America Class. These themes contribute to the frantic and dangerous dynamic that many journalist face in Mexico on a regular basis. The idea of borders and corruption are physical ideas that are not regularly seen with a person’s eyes, but are rather recognized by their mind. Death is another theme, though unlike the previous two, present a real, noticeable physical response. Born out of these physical themes, the idea centered on the motivation of Fear and Resilience is found. These two metaphysical thoughts are encouraged and enlightened by the other physical themes associated with Human Rights. However, before diving into a...
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...The Handmaid’s Tale: Power and Corruption Governments impose a certain amount of power and control on their citizens in order for societies to function according to plan. In the Handmaid’s Tale, excessive control and power in the Gilead society strips the residents of their freedom, forbidding them to live ordinary lives. Men abuse their control and power over women in order to satisfy their personal needs and women are persecuted to the point of corruption. The Handmaids suffer the most due to the loss of their personal liberties and identities. Inhabitants live in constant fear for their lives, and are subjected to perpetual surveillance. The Gilead society follows a patriarchal law that women must obey their male counterparts. Since they believe that they are powerful, they think that they can get away with what they want. An example of the male abuse that occurs in the Handmaid’s Tale centres on Offred, who is trapped in Gilead as a Handmaid. She is one of the women valued only for her potential as a surrogate mother. Denied all her individual rights and personal identity, she is known only by the patronymic Of-Fred, derived from the name of her current Commander. Offred struggles with this new name with this statement, “My name isn’t Offred, I have another name, which nobody uses now because it's forbidden. I tell myself it doesn’t matter, your name is like your telephone number, useful only to others; but what I tell myself is wrong, it does matter...
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...When Napoleon becomes the sole leader of Animal Farm, he seizes power and becomes more and more like a human. He uses several methods to take and maintain control of the farm. His primary methods are by using fear, by exploiting the animal and by bending the rules. Napoleon uses his intellect to good effect as far as self-interest is concerned. Napoleon instills fear as a way of giving the animal no chance to argue about what he says. This allows him to run the farm in his own manner and gives him a more comfortable life than the other animals. Early on in Animal Farm, Napoleon takes Jessie and Bluebells nine newborn puppies. These puppies become his little army of fear. He uses them to gain power by eliminating his enemies, Snowball "They dashed straight for Snowball...he slipped through a hole in the hedge and was seen no more." Also, Napoleon used the dogs in the public forum he created by setting an example of what would happen to those animals who chose to disobey him. The Russian Revolution is an example that absolute power often corrupts society. In the novel Animal Farm, author George Orwell shows through Boxer’s faithfulness to Napoleon that absolute power can control one’s mind. This showed that absolute power can ultimately brainwash one’s own opinion, which can have negative consequences. Boxer’s loyalty often controlled his mind and directed his actions in important situations, it can be seen how power corrupts the pigs in Animal Farm simply by their actions, which...
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...Police Abuse of Power Abstract This paper will focus on the idea of police abuse of power. It discusses the problem with police abusing power and how it leads to the distrust of people today. It will explore why it is an issue and what can be done to prevent it. An officer started at a job in a new town. After a few months on the job, they noticed a misuse of the authority the police embodied in a couple ways. The ways authority was misused compounded on top of each other making the department enormously corrupt. The officer saw that this was not a good thing, but doesn’t want to speak out because of the subculture and the risk of loosing their job. The new officer wanted to be an ethical leader and demonstrate courage but was at an impasse of uncertainty to keep their job. In today’s society, abuse of police power can be seen. From accepting small bribes to an unnecessary shooting, corruption is everywhere. Abuse of power is defined as the improper use of authority by someone who has that authority because of the office they hold ( Abuse of power West's Encyclopedia of American Law, edition 2). The problem with the abuse of power is it leads to corruption within the justice system. For example, an abuse of power would be when an officer is threatening a suspect with an impractical punishment and is forcing a confession for something they did not do. This corruption doesn’t allow for the right to a fair trial. By abusing the system the officer can doctor...
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...Destruction of Mankind The novel, Lord of the Flies, by William Golding uses the destruction of Human nature shown through the boys stranded on the island. Golding adds into the theme on how easily a society can collapse, how twisted it can be , and self-destruction of society. Emotions have a part in destruction of mankind and Golding incorporated this into the novel; it is panic, fits of madness, and demoralization. Golding uses conflict, symbolism and characters to paint a picture on how men are corrupt. Golding uses conflict to help portray his theme. The conflict Golding uses, is Jack wanting to gain power and control. Ever since Ralph called all the survivors on the island, Jack wanted to be the leader.But he had lost the vote of being leader. He has always demanded power over...
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...caused some of his personal life to be paralleled in his works. His fear of corruption in politics was enough inspiration to write numerous books and short stories. However, his overbearing father is the most apparent influence when he writes. Franz Kafka lived a warped life epitomized by his continual commitment of adultery, sensitivity to the corruption of modern political systems, and deep rooted abuse and rage of his father converge together in his novel, The Trial. Throughout The Trial, Kafka eludes to many instances where a character cheats on his or her significant other. The first instance occurs when K. arrives in the courtroom for his second hearing and he begins to talk to a woman who interrupted his initial hearing. The woman says, “The Court are woman chasers… even my husband has to get used to it” (Kafka 35). Kafka was a notorious adulterer, and had several short and long-term...
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...Contents INTRODUCTION 2 Corruption 3 Types of Corruption 5 Corporate responsibility and anti-corruption 7 Reference 8 1. INTRODUCTION Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is the responsibility of an organization for the impacts of its decisions and activities on society, the environment and its own prosperity. Companies have a lot of power in the community and in the national economy. They control a lot of assets, and may have billions in cash at their disposal for socially conscious investments and programs. Some companies may engage in "green washing", or feigning interest in corporate responsibility, but many large corporations are devoting real time and money to environmental sustainability programs, and various social welfare initiatives to benefit employees, customers, and the community at large. Corporate Social Responsibility tackle many issues among one is corruption. 2. CORRUPTION This part explains fully what is corruption and how it is has emerged throughout years The simple and straightforward meaning of corruption is to get work done by means of illegal gratification. A few decades back, to indulge in corrupt practices was something to be ashamed of. If a person was known to be corrupted, people would point charging fingers at him. This shows that, though corruption was there, it was a very rare phenomenon, a hush affair. Both the corrupt person and the general public being awe struck about the whole affair. The corrupt person hid his...
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...Police Corruption: Above the Law Police Corruption: Above the Law Police corruption is the simple product of Marxian theory. In this case, the means of production are simply the power that people of the law possess and their ability to bend it to suit their own selfish desires. The cause is our cash driven society that inspires greed even in the hearts of those who are supposed to protect us. Civilians and law enforcement officers alike will continue to be effected by this problem. Since its beginnings, many aspects of policing have changed; one aspect that has remained relatively unchanged is the existence of corruption. If you look in a local newspaper, it is likely that you will find an article about a police officer that has been arrested for committing some kind of corrupt act. Officers have been stealing money from dealers and distributing drugs themselves. They are protected, hiding behind badges that they proudly display. The way to solve this problem comes from either Weber’s ideal system of nobility or Durkheimian theory where corruption would be intolerable and quickly unveiled from the inside. Citizens of the community are responsible for bringing about these changes in our society. Only with a system that rewards dedication, bravery, and ethical behavior will law enforcement be turned away from a life of corruption. Like it or not, power tends to lead to corruption. It is no surprise citizens are often shocked and outraged when police officers are exposed...
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...Power Hungry Leaders Create Corrupt Societies Corrupt leaders use their advantages and power against the weak. They use higher intelligence to manipulate and control those who are too ignorant to see through the lies. These leaders rise to and retain power by twisting the truth in their favor. This is what the character Napoleon does in Animal Farm, by George Orwell. Corruption of power leads to the exploitation of the weak through fear and manipulation. Snowball was a perfect leader, with excellent ideals and did everything for others. Napoleon, on the other hand, was a diabolical leader who sought power. To do this, Napoleon directs his ‘right hand man,’ Squealer, to spread rumors and lies to make Napoleon seem perfect. After Napoleon took charge, Squealer said, “I trust that every animal here appreciates the sacrifice that Comrade Napoleon has made in taking this extra labour upon himself” (50). Napoleon...
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...man’s character, give him power” Abraham Lincoln. In other words Abraham Lincoln states that one cannot truly see what character an individual has by how they overcome tribulation. Instead you must judge an individual's character on how they use their power when given. In Macbeth the desire for power is prominent in various characters. Such as Macbeth strong desire for power leads him to commit murders and betrayals in order to gain power.In the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare Macbeth was a noble and loyal individual until three witches awakened the power hungry individual within Macbeth and corrupted his soul. Some people kill and manipulate others to gain power. Other times,...
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...Police Ethics Name Professor Institution Course Date The impact of terrorism on the police mission in the United States? The roles of police in United States according to Schmalleger (2007) include; law enforcement, apprehending law offenders and investigating crimes, crime prevention, and domestic peace as well as providing the society with the required enforcement services, and ensuring that there exists tranquility. Over a long period, the police roles remained as stated until the effects of September 11, 2001 Islamic terrorist attack when the police assumed the responsibilities of antiterrorism and incidents related to terrorism activities. Currently, police are dedicating much of resources and time in training as preparation in case of future potential terrorist attack. Intelligence and information gathering have become very essential activities by police to ensure continued prevention of terrorism attack. In addition, police have prioritized their response to incidences of terrorism and were considering the responses as of more precedence compared to other roles or duties (Crank J. P., 2010). Disagreements in existence towards law enforcement to combat terrorism Since the September 11 terrorist attack, disagreements have emerged on how to deal with the threat of terrorism attack (Delattre, 2006). The first of all the disagreement was on how much intelligence federal...
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