Does power corrupt?
abracad, · Categories: in the news, spiritual politicsPower tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely - John Dalberg-Acton
British politics has recently been rocked by a scandal over the abuse of expense payments by Members of Parliament. It's a scandal that may prematurely see Prime Minister Gordon Brown leaving office. Particularly disappointing is the sheer number involved.
The cynical might say that the usual motives for seeking power are less than pure, that politicians seek office for their own ends. It's more likely that those entering politics do so from a genuine desire to effect change for the better, but does power corrupt?
Once power is achieved something goes wrong. Often, once attained, the comforts of office diminish the hunger to improve. The temptation to bend rules for personal rather than general benefit presents itself. On mercifully rare occasions the wrong person in the wrong job yields catastrophic results.
As humans we each have the unenviable responsibility of simultaneously balancing two distinct roles. The first is that of vulnerable flesh and blood operating in the physical realm. This mortal being craves material success and the comfort it brings. The second role is that of eternal Spirit, incarnate for a short while to pursue experience.
It is the first role that both necessitates the need for "someone" to organize our collective potential, ie hold power, and which drives many to seek that privilege. Spiritually all are equal, though each occupies unique circumstances and is driven by unique goals. The vagabond and king stand side-by-side. There is no need for external organization, for Spiritually we are all one.
No one likes to be controlled, so how to balance our natural desire for freedom and independence with the benefits of co-operation and collaboration? History has produced many mechanisms for allocating power, from brute force, hypnotic charisma through to democracy in which we supposedly choose how and by whom we are governed, and have the ability to pass judgement on their performance.
Instinctively democracy seems the fairest way and has arguably produced the most progressive societies. Though democracy is at best an approximation of the common will and at times a distinct distortion; eg George W Bush took the White House despite winning fewer votes than Al Gore and Great Britain is regularly governed by a party gaining a minority of the vote.
As we continue to progress Spiritually, and the oneness of all becomes more apparent upon the earth plane, so the need for central control will diminish. Until then we should each take some interest in how we are governed. If absolute power corrupts we should seek to limit the power held by any individual. It may be we run for office in some form, or simply weigh the relative merits of those that do. Should we vote (if fortunate enough to have the chance)? That depends upon our inner instinct, but should we choose to abstain it should at least be a considered decision.
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