absolute power?

Absolute power corrupts absolutely. That's true. But power also corrupts (in certain ammount). The state is bad by nature, but it's a necesar bad. We keep it in order to avoid bigger bad things that can happen in anarchy. Still, to minimize corruption and arbitrary and injustice, the state should be minimal. It just have to do justice and to maintain the order. Only a few institutions that safe-guard the live of the people. Education, health, culture, etc can be organised by private persons. This is the only way to have them at high standards, to put them in the trial of the market economy and private interests.

Our founding fathers knew that. That is why our government is set up as a republic.

Because people are naive enough to think that our government is really democratic and for the people. They know nothing of the fusion centers, FEMA camps, Goldman Sachs, Infra Group, The Bilderberg Group, etc. They are afraid to look into these things because then they might have to take some responsibility and do something besides 'give it to God'.

Do either one have absolute power? You have touched on something I've been trying to get accross to people though. Anything run by human beings is subject to corruption and anyone in power, will seek more power.

Thought provoking discussion Dawny. Out here, we have not been able to have a majority in the government for quite a few terms. As a result there is always some sort of coalition government at the center. What happens with coalition government is one unit or the other threatens the government and each has his or her demands. In the process, the government becomes weak and is unable to implement anything which seems to be right action to certain section of the society. Many a time, there is horse trading ..which means I will agree to this proposal if you give us this. A lot of black money is generated during this sort of trade. Absolute power is equally bad, but we at least know whom to point fingers at and eliminate for good. We also know how to recover the stuff. And make the person accountable. Comparatively safer bet if you ask me.

I think that it's already accepted that 'absolute power corrupts'. That's why every entity, government or corporation, have in place a system of 'check and balance' so that whoever has the power would have to answer to somebody(some group) if they stray their line of being 'righteous'. As informed citizens or employees, we should make sure first that this system exist before we agree to go under this rule.

Unfortunately all the political parties in my country are as bad as each other, that is why the country is in such a financial mess and with recession continually biting and mass unemployment, the whole country is suffering under the power of the government, and the scary thing is I don't even think the government know how to use the power to sort out the problems this country is facing.

They are not to be trusted. It's a basic concept. Money and greed control the world and big corporations control the government, IMO.

You are going to receive many answers from persons more capable than me and sometimes the answers create even more questions. But, I believe, however flawed the democratic system is it is better than other forms of government. After all - they can always be voted out every four years or so and shareholders can vote out some of big company executives. However, corruption has always existed in some form or another and may always will unless there is a totalitarian government in control. I would go with a flawed democracy anytime over any other form of governance. somene always has to be at the top or in charge whther in government or business. There isn't any one answer Dawn to this very profound question. Blessings

With the US goverment I have never witnessed so much disagreement and lack of working together! You know the president and the congress! It is crazy! Both sides are being stubborn and I doubt a fiscal agreement will be made before the 1st of the year! If the goverment would think of us regular people instead of themselves this would not be happening!

I actually have to say that this is one of the main reasons that I am not the kind of person that really gets too involved in politics. You see, I tend to think that those individuals that end up winning elections and such are the people that are the overall best liars. If it wasn't for that, then I don't really even think that we would have politics at all. Of course this is just my opinion and I really could be wrong.

Great discussion. But unfortunately, I have not much of idea of how absolute power corrupts absolutely as the Indian Government - I neither trust it nor it is in absolute majority since many years. Somehow, the absolute power was supposed to be with people who were supposed to have brains and capacities not to get swayed away by the absoluteness. That was the idea ages ago... but in today's world, it seems that absoluteness remains with those who are powerful and can manipulate. Bad, definitely, for millions

In this world everything is about power, sometimes in the form of money, sometimes influence and sometimes both. How much privilege you've in this society depends on how powerful you are, this world is a good place if you've power otherwise, you can see so many people suffering in slums where do body cares whether they live or die.

hi, actually as of now i could say that our government here in my country is not that bad anymore,the administration lessen the corrupted people in the government,and the result is very good,we are all thankful because the new administration is not a corrupt.

That is so true and why when it comes to the Government, it should be looked at as "they work for the people" but over time it seems to no longer apply, it is beginning to feel like the other way around don't you think?

This is why no government should have ABSOLUTE power. If we hand it all to them, heaven help us....

Oh, gosh. I don't normally get into these discussions but I'll bite this time. I can probably see this two ways about our government, Dawn. I'll mention the one that makes better sense to me but after all, I think the whole government stinks as it is. I believe that we are a cross of the two but not completely. If our government's actions were righteous and just then social security wouldn't be such a mess and those of us entering retirement within the next 10 years wouldn't be so worried if there is going to be anything left for us to receive. The social security administration has a large amount of people entering that age already as we speak and I know of people who complain that they can't get their money if applying for it at 62. They get rejected and then have to try again at 65. I remember a story of lady who battled to get hers but by the time she won her appeal (She tried several times to appeal.) she was already 75. How on earth was she going to reap her rewards and benefit at that age?