Power corrupts?

December 2, 2007 — thoughtfulconservative

Attributed to author David Brin (via The Week magazine)

“It is said that power corrupts, but actually it’s more true that power attracts the corruptible.”

True or false?

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Posted in Politics. Tags: , , , .

10 Responses to “Power corrupts?”

  1. Nick Says:
    December 2, 2007 at 8:00 am

    Absolutley true… and I’m going to have to start using that phrase now.

  2. steveegg Says:
    December 2, 2007 at 10:47 am

    True.

  3. Sancho Says:
    December 2, 2007 at 12:47 pm

    False. I think power attracts the corrupted. I mean we’re all already “corrupted” in one way or another, “Power” is just a fertilizer. Some people can keep their thorns hidden, some cannot.

  4. The World According to St. Nick - Ron Paul as the Evangelical Candidate Says:
    December 2, 2007 at 12:57 pm

    [...] the old saying goes… power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.  Not only that, but that sort of opportunity for power attracts those who we least want to be in power.  I fear the use of government to police many of those things that others view as a [...]

  5. elliot Says:
    December 2, 2007 at 9:29 pm

    I love Brin. I have a couple of his books.

  6. thoughtfulconservative Says:
    December 3, 2007 at 12:22 am

    So are we pessimistic about all politicians then? Does it start gradually, first in local office, then in state office and finally nationally?

    And is one man’s corrupt politician another man’s efficient politician. Many, including liberals might think Hillary is corrupt, but Hillary backers might dispute that. Conversely with, say, President Bush.

  7. Amy P. Says:
    December 3, 2007 at 10:42 am

    I have think it’s a little of both. There have been some persons in positions of power who have been honorable and forthright - those who obtain positions of power to help and truly serve others.

    However, that power can lead even the most honorable person to “drink the Kool-Aid”, so to speak, and overwhelm them with the notion of having Power (capital P).

    On the other hand there are those who seek positions of power with the pure intention of being powerful and lording that power over others abusively or destructively.

    So it’s a little bit of both. Just my opinion.

  8. Bruce Says:
    December 3, 2007 at 10:49 am

    I’d say true, but only because we are all corruptible at some level or another.

  9. jamesbdunn Says:
    December 4, 2007 at 12:15 pm

    This country is run by modern organized crime.

    England estimates organized crime costs their citizens more than $20 Billion pounds (~40 Billion US) annually; a large part of that being politically based.

    Ethical Method to Eliminate ALL Political Corruption:
    http://blog.360.yahoo.com/jamesbdunn?p=57

    In Iraq and Iran, corruption could be similarly held in check:
    http://blog.360.yahoo.com/jamesbdunn2?p=43

  10. thoughtfulconservative Says:
    December 4, 2007 at 3:40 pm

    Umm, wow. I don’t really subscribe to many conspiracy theories.

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