Limitless Power leads to Corruption

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Recommended: ethical dilemmas when leaders use their power

Every human being has a certain amount of power, the ability to do something or act in a particular way. In most societies, the power granted to different individuals is limited by certain laws, rules, and regulations. The trouble in different civilizations occurs when leaders, political parties, and governments have unlimited power. A leader with limitless power has the authority to do anything and act any way he wants to. The misuse of power is a repeated theme found in George Orwell’s novel, Animal Farm. Not only is this theme found in literature, but it has also occurred in history, and in present day societies. Limitless power often corrupts those who possess it. George Orwell’s novel, Animal Farm portrays the theme that limitless power defiles those who possess it. Animal Farm is an allegory to the Russian revolution and government in the early 1900’s. George Orwell used this novel to portray how power corrupted the individuals involved in the Russian leadership. One example is found in the character Mr. Jones, the owner of Manor Farm. George Orwell describes Mr. Jones as a lazy drunk by saying, “…he [Mr. Jones] lurched across the yard, kicked off his boots at the back door, drew himself a glass of beer from the barrel in the scullery, and made his way up to bed…” (Orwell, 1997, pg.3) Mr. Jones was given unlimited alcohol which caused him to treat his animals any way he pleased. His alcoholism spoiled him and led him to starve, whip, and be cruel towards all his animals. Mr. Jones is a direct representation of Czar Nicholas II. Just like Mr. Jones was drunk with alcohol, Czar Nicholas was drunk with power. Czar Nicholas took advantage of his limitless power and forced his citizens into poverty, war and starvation. Another e... ... middle of paper ... ...the future. Works Cited "Adolf Hitler." U*X*L Biographies. Detroit: U*X*L, 2003. Gale Student Resources In Context. Web. 31 Oct. 2011. Idi Amin. (2011). In Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/20642/Idi-Amin Pol Pot. (2011). In Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/466663/Pol-Pot Robert Mugabe. (2011). In Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/396102/Robert-Mugabe Orwell, G. (1997). Animal farm, and related readings. (pp. 3-97). Houghton Mifflin School. Muammar al-Qaddafi. (2011). In Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/485369/Muammar-al-Qaddafi Fidel Castro. (2011). In Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/98822/Fidel-Castro

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