The Definition of Power

The Definition of Power

Power is many things. It is the ability to control people in their

sayings and/or actions. It is the ability to get whatever you want. Power is a

necessary component in any society, otherwise all pandemonium would break loose;

leaders must be established. But, when taken to an extreme, power is not good,

and pandemonium will break loose.

As Lord Acton said, "Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts

absolutely." A good example of this is Adolph Hitler in Nazi Germany. He

believed he could not be stopped and that rules did not apply to him. By being

given absolute power, he corrupted the government. No attempt was made to stop

this by the Germans, because of the control he had. People were either scared

to stop this, or were brainwashed into believing it. Finally the U.S. had to

step in and try to stop Hitler, and World War II broke out.

But power is not all bad though. As was stated earlier, it is necessary

in any group of people, and there will be struggle to achieve it--be it a

country, a business, or a sports team. Athletics is a good example of where

there is a constant power struggle. In every league, every player wants control.

They want what they think should happen (during games), to happen. Recently,

in the NBA, Dennis Rodman took this struggle to an extreme. In disagreement with

an official's call, Rodman head-butted the official, and through a temper-

tantrum on his way off the court. Quite obviously, this is bad. Every player

in the league agrees to the rules set by the NBA from the beginning. The rules

are made to keep control, and the officials have power to enforce these rules.

If there were no regulations, players would be doing whatever they wanted

whenever they wanted. If Rodman's antics would have taken place somewhere other

than a basketball court he probably would be in trouble with the law. If he

were to argue with a police officer, for example, the same way he did with the

referee, he probably would be put in jail or at very least heavily fined. Well,

the NBA is not going to put anyone in jail for this, but they did fine him and

suspend him for a couple of games. Basically Rodman is as bad as any street

bully who picks on or beats up little kids. Only he does it on a basketball

court, so generally it is considered "part of the game." In nine out of ten

cases, a fine is levied, and all is forgotten.