Abuse of personal power and pursuit of political power are just slightly different expressions of the same pathology. In both cases, the intent is to achieve one’s goals through the exercise of authority and the threat of punishment.
Furthermore, it’s not just that power corrupts, it’s that corruption demands feeding. Once corrupted by power, it’s only natural for the powerful to seek ever more power, the better to give wider and more satisfying play to the corruption.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
QoTD
Thomas Knapp @ C4SS:
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6 comments:
Abuse of personal power and pursuit of political power
A bit harsh, in that it links plain political power with abusive use of personal power.
We're supposed to believe that there are benevolent figures out there who properly use both.
Who's this we that's supposed to believe that?
I believe that the people in charge want us to believe in benevolent figures...it's better for them. I don't believe that supporting that fiction is better for any one not in charge.
I'm still searching for the benevolent public servant.
I'm told they're out there...somewhere.
Still the fact is that most things get done only by threats and bullying by superior wills.
Male will of power is like female hypergamy. It's there, its human nature, we may call it evil, but its not going anywhere. May as well deal with it as it is, not pretend it doesn't exist.
Spandrell,
There are 2 meanings I can easily attach to your sentence, with contrary results.
1. It's there, it's human nature, learn to tolerate it like we tolerate, say, ENVY...the core of most human wealth-generation.
2. It's there, it's human nature, learn to suppress it aggressively, like we suppress initiation of violence.
If you mean #2...I'm good. If you mean 1...I'm less down with that.
"2. It's there, it's human nature, learn to suppress it aggressively, like we suppress initiation of violence. "
You need a functioning violent structure, i.e. a state, to effectively suppress basic human nature. So its kinda circular.
See how Moldbug thinks Kingship must suppress people's will for power. Well good luck with that. Still more likely than anarchic communities somehow coordinating themselves by telepathy or something.
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