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an essay on misuse of power
Morality and Society
an essay on misuse of power
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Strength in numbers is undeniable however, this strength is often misused. This misused strength often transforms even the most peaceful protests and originations into ruthless mobs. These mobs are directed by a leader, who without a strong moral compass, often will lead his own group to self destruction through the destruction of peace. Cooperation between like minded people to fight for what they believe in is nothing new. These groups tend to be peaceful with the exception for groups who wish to promote social change. However, people are creatures of habit who follow the guidelines of society and when a hot bed issue such as the civil rights or a more modern comparison such as gay marriage, people become very reluctant to change what is common place in society. These creates division between people and from there groups form on how to make their change become reality. These groups then form their own mob mentality which is where they begin to go down the slippery slope of immorality. This immoral behavior is spawned from the belief that individuals can hide from their moral respo...
In reading “Armed & Underage” by Jeffrey Gettleman, along with “The Charge: Genocide” by Lydia Polgreen, it is clear that when groups come together, they help stop injustices in addition to doing good by those who are involved. Notwithstanding, there are those that conversely the idea. Opponents feel as though when groups come together, they can't stop injustices
Violence, although at times is morally wrong, is sometimes the best way to solve a problem, to reach a goal. Because violence is an exhibition of a man's powers, violence allow an individual to show his might and his prowess. Therefore, both violence and power are attributed to an individual's or society's ability to achieve what they yearn to accomplish.
Peaceful protests was one of the ways African Americans tried to make a change. Many sit-ins occurred where whites and blacks would sit together integrated at white bars and refuse to move. By refusing to move many people through things such as ketchup, mustard, fries, milkshakes, vinegar, and everything on the counter. Mobs of people would harass them and even hurt them to try and get them to move. (Document 4) White cops would arrest those people sitting at the counter eventually, but they wouldn’t protect them from white violence. Police officers also used fire hoses and dogs on peaceful protesters showing that they would not protect African Americans. (Document 5) African Americans also started to integrate into schools. John Meredith
The French Battle of Algiers occurred over sixty years ago between France and the National Liberation Front (FNL) involving the independence of Algiers. The French tactics of torture, terrorism, shady moral decisions, and using power to exert influence are tragically still common tactics on the world stage between states today. Over the past sixty years, the tactics in the fight for power have not changed, nor has a solution for this fight been found. What about power makes man resort to terror attacks and violating human rights?
... whole world blind”. This means that if one keeps hurting other and the other hurts one as revenge, then both sides will have nothing but broken hearts. Violence within violence will only lead to destruction and will never lead the world into a peaceful place. People will only feel void for their morally wrong actions of stealing and fighting and war. Although it may take a long period of time to show the media and people in society that Ahimsa is successful, it is a way to go and is already supported by a wide range of leaders which promotes a less hateful and bloody way of solving situations instead of violence. Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela, and Scout Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird are great leaders reminding society that not all protests must use force violently; protesters can use the act of Ahimsa instead of having a blood bath and a pile of dead bodies.
During World War 2, Hitler is able to gain popularity by manipulating the German people's’ minds and using mod mentality so the German people “know what their eyes are telling them, [but] they choose to ignore it, and go along with the group to belong to the group,” (ABC News 23). People choose to ignore what they see and go with the crowd because they believe that the crowd is always right. This is not always the case because when the Germans follow Hitler, it ensues in chaos. When people become part of a group, they worry about the groups needs and not the individuals. They also can tend to all think alike causing them to lose their independent thoughts. In virtue of this, individuals can become violent and rowdy because a single member of the group is, making everyone else feel that it's okay. Similar to both sources, herd behavior can have a negative affect, even if the victims are not involved directly. Comparably in the story “A Very Old Man with Enormous WIngs” written by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, an angel falls
Two articles, in particular, help clarify and explain this trend. The first is “The Genocidal Killer in the Mirror” by Crispin Sartwell, who explains how so many average people can be turned into hordes of willing and eager killers. In the case of Rwandan, Sartwell notes how the Hutu government ordered the mass-killings of the Tutsis for the “greater good” of it’s people, forcing the people to see the Tutsis as schemers and assassins to prevent personal injury to themselves and their loved ones. The other article, was Erich Fromm’s “Disobedience as a Psychological and Moral Problem”, in which Fromm illustrates how many can be forced into becoming an automatized man, who simply does as he is told by his superiors, allowing him to become a killer without conscience. Fromm also discusses the importance of group mentality upon morality, and how when subjects are viewed as a group, they can be demonized and easily passed off as subhuman. Though both Crispin Sartwell’s article “The Genocidal Killer in the Mirror” and Erich Fromm’ piece “Disobedience as a Psychological and Moral Problem” are from two vastly different time periods, the Cold War era with its apocalyptic fears and the post- Col...
The need for power is a reality of life; to use or abuse, to claim or deny, own or disown. However the struggle many go through to gain that feeling of control and power can lead to inner turmoil and conflict between others and one self. Set in the times of the tragic witch trials The Crucible is a drama that shows power resting on moral, legal and religious dynamics that lead to inner, social and religious conflicts. Marking Time an ABC miniseries explores the inner conflict of Hal as he struggles to maintain his power by being with a group he does not really fit into, it also shows how the youth of society challenge authority which leads to social conflict between the two groups. Lord of the Flies a novel by William Golding about the savageness in all innocence and explores the concept of fighting for power to gain status and attitude. Power can be gained, won and fought for but the struggle for it can cause inner, social and religious conflict is explored in all three texts some the concept more clearer than others.
Numerous cases in history show that identification with a particular group can lead to dreadful outcomes. Together, with historical evidence, classic psychological studies tell a very powerful story. Decent people can take on oppressive roles and succumb to oppressive leaders. However, people often resist tyranny, and their resistance tends to be most effective when it is collective.
“See, people with power understand exactly one thing: violence” (Chomsky). The history of the world is full of blood, greed, and violence. There has only been wars instigated by the rich, powerful and greedy. Violence often lead to more violence which will cause pain everywhere or somewhere in this world (Solter). Just as Issac Asimov once said, “Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent” but things tend to heat up and move up to the next level. Violence, especially in wars, only leads to further violence due to many different elements, especially vengeance, political and economic greed.
They are appealing to a standard of behaviour that many people require others to follow. When people are fighting, they
Martin Luther King Jr. once said that our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter. Americans complain relentlessly about the government and presidential candidates, but that is as far as it goes. When they are given the opportunity to enable a change, one that they cry out for, they meet the opportunity with reticence. They are supposedly so angry that it leads them to rebel in massive rebellions demonstrated by silence. The silence is not only restricted to noiselessness but rather it refers to “doing nothing.” However, what Americans fails to perceive, is that doing “nothing” is doing “something.” Consequently, silence is often the action that leads to destruction.
Power acts as a catalyst in a society which is vulnerable to mass hysteria and causes individuals to favor unjust trials for personal gain.
When one hears the word violence one typically thinks of sordid images. This is because violence has developed a negative connotation. When one thinks of violent acts or cruel methods like coercion it is frequently correlated with evil. But there are instances in which there is a need to commit brutalities in order to put an end to catastrophes and help the good prevail. Many posit the notion that nothing good will ever come from violence while neglecting the positive things that have emerged from it. It may seem illogical but since kindness is often abused one needs to resort to violent means to demand justice and peace. Violence is gradually converting into a virtue as it becomes an imperative component in making progressive reforms. In order for one to triumph one must be dauntingly assertive even if it means turning to violence. Using forceful tactics should not necessarily make one malicious if the reasons behind them are benevolent. Violent acts are justified as long as they’re done for the greater good, solve disputes, and serve justice. And what better way to prove this than with legit historical facts.
Passive resistance, simply defined as “peaceful resistance by fasting or refusing to cooperate,” (hyper-dictionary) is a complex issue, and potent tool to attain a means through absolutely zero violence. As Martin Luther King Jr. and Gandhi, have argued, passive resistance is a noble means to a peaceful end, in which only the followers of a movement risk themselves and bring no harm to those whom they oppose. “Passive resistance,” according to Mahatma Gandhi, “is an all sided sword; it can be used anyhow; it blesses him who uses it and him against whom it is used. Without drawing a drop of blood it produces far-reaching results. It never rusts and cannot be stolen.” Martin Luther King Jr. and Gandhi both knew that police forces could not stifle those who would not fight against them. Likewise, no matter how powerful a government, the hearts of those fighting for a just cause could not be quelled. Others are also moved by those who fight passionately for their cause without using violence, and that independence from those who oppress is a key to developing a change in social and political structure.