Essay about Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely - 1561 Words

John Emerich Edward Dalberg-Acton said that â€Å"Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.† This has been seen numerous times throughout history. From Hitler’s ideological world and his slaughtering of six million Jews in attempt to reach it, to Mohamed Suhato’s embezzlement of somewhere between fifteen and thirty five billion US dollars, which then led to the complete collapse of Indonesia’s economy; the world has set gaze upon some nefarious dignitaries. Clive Cussler has completely agreed with Lord Acton and his famous quote in the novel Sahara. The antagonists in this story become totally deleterious in there lust for absolute power, which leads to the deaths of innocent soldiers, the crippling of his country through†¦show more content†¦Bloodthirsty, with revenge on his mind after being bested in his first confrontation with the protagonist, he now knows completely what his opposition is capable of. With this intellige nce now resounding in his mind, he orders a lacklustre group of soldiers to execute the hero and company, stating that â€Å"if you fail to exterminate the group of individuals who were aboard that speedboat, you will all pay with your life† (Cussler 235). However Kazim’s subpar military officials never stood a chance against the protagonist. Kazim seems to get more blinded with keeping his position of power as he progresses. Towards the end of the novel he has the protagonist and the UN special response team surrounded in an old fort. Completely and utterly crippled by the need to maintain his role as Dictator of Mali he ignores the fact that the people inside the fort for the most part are highly trained special operation soldiers and his army consists of men who have seldom had to use their guns. Throwing strategy out the window Kazim sends his soldiers at the fort in waves ordering that â€Å"Any man that stops moving forward is to be shot on spot, no one expects you to survive. Die with honour† (Cussler 490). The UN troops mowed down Kazim’s soldiers with ease. This loss of life was completely unnecessary on Kazim’s part as he had the whole Malayan military at his disposal. Nevertheless, blinded by rage and corrupted by powerShow MoreRelatedPower Corrupts and Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely1475 Words   |  6 Pagesâ€Å"Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.† Over the centuries, this famous saying voiced by Lord Action has been analyzed and dissected numerous times by historians and philosophers. Some individuals say that power does not corrupt, it only attracts the corruptible. However, to judge fairly, past and current events accurately depict the ideology that power corrupts absolutely, and has convinced me, that its meaning holds true. Ivan the Terrible of Russia, Louis XIV of France, HenryRead MorePower Corrupts, and Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely1109 Words   |  5 PagesPower cor rupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely There are many examples, throughout history, of leaders who have been corrupted with power. For example, people like Hitler and Napoleon have all committed shameful actions in the hopes of gaining absolute power. Authority, or simply the desire of control, can cause people to act in incomprehensible ways. Throughout the play Macbeth, written by playwright Shakespeare, the desire for absolute power is the main driving force for the two main charactersRead MorePower Corrupts and Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely2410 Words   |  10 PagesPower Corrupts and Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely Throughout history the argument of power falling hand in hand with corruption has been brought to our attention in devastating scenes of destruction, turmoil and moments which will never be forgotten. 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The power that corrupts the characters plays an extensive role throughout Shakespeare’s play, King Lear. Goneril and Regan are corrupted by the power that Lear offers them. Edmund’s corruption comes from the trust of his father. Absolute power corrupts absolutely with the characters, because once have full control, they are so cold that they will do anything to keepRead MoreKing Lear - Power Corrupts798 Words   |  4 PagesPower is the ability to manipulate and control whatever one desires; to do what one pleases to do without answering to authority. The power that corrupts the characters plays an extensive role throughout Shakespeares play, King Lear. Goneril and Regan are corrupted by the power that Lear offers them. Edmunds corruption comes from the trust of his father. Absolute power corrupts absolutely with the characters, because once have full control, they are so cold that they will do anything to keep the