Power can be defined as many things. It can be the ability to do something or act in a particular way. It can be the ability or right to control people or things. It can also be the ability to get what you want (Power, n.d.). Power is a crucial component in society and without it there would be no social structure. However, when taken to the extreme, power can lead to corruption within individuals and society and can be demonstrated in scientific experiments, books, history and film. “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” Said Lord Acton, a 19th-century British historian. Now, after a century of Acton’s accusation, it has been proven scientifically. Professor John Antonakis from the University of Lausanne in Switzerland,
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In a flash back to the earlier years, all the animals at Mr. Jones’ Manor Farm gather along to hear Old Major, a pig. He tells the animals that mankind is their enemy and that they must take control of the farm for themselves in order to be equal and free. Shortly after, Old Major is killed. However, his philosophy inspired the rest of the animals to rebel against Jones and drive him and the workers off the farm. The new leader Napoleon, who is a pig, is proven to grow more corrupt as he holds on to the power on the farm. For example, Napoleon enforced the Seven Commandments, which included rules such as “No animal shall sleep in a bed”, “No animal shall kill any other animal” and “All animals are equal”. However, as the story progresses, Napoleon breaks every single rule. To justify it, he uses his power to alter all of the rules for his own personal gain. Another example shown is when Napoleon uses propaganda and Squealer, his speaker, to persuade the other animals into believing false information. When the other animals question why the pigs are receiving more food than the rest of them, Squealer persuades them into thinking the pigs need the extra energy because they are the brain workers of the farm. Also, to further glorify himself, Napoleon got Squealer to create propaganda films about animals who are happy with Napoleon’s rules and those that work with Snowball are …show more content…
Although, power is an essential element in society for social order. When when taken to the extreme, it can corrupt an individual and leave a society in oppression. Thus, it is important that power is not fallen into the wrong
In a flash back to the earlier years, all the animals at Mr. Jones’ Manor Farm gather along to hear Old Major, a pig. He tells the animals that mankind is their enemy and that they must take control of the farm for themselves in order to be equal and free. Shortly after, Old Major is killed. However, his philosophy inspired the rest of the animals to rebel against Jones and drive him and the workers off the farm. The new leader Napoleon, who is a pig, is proven to grow more corrupt as he holds on to the power on the farm. For example, Napoleon enforced the Seven Commandments, which included rules such as “No animal shall sleep in a bed”, “No animal shall kill any other animal” and “All animals are equal”. However, as the story progresses, Napoleon breaks every single rule. To justify it, he uses his power to alter all of the rules for his own personal gain. Another example shown is when Napoleon uses propaganda and Squealer, his speaker, to persuade the other animals into believing false information. When the other animals question why the pigs are receiving more food than the rest of them, Squealer persuades them into thinking the pigs need the extra energy because they are the brain workers of the farm. Also, to further glorify himself, Napoleon got Squealer to create propaganda films about animals who are happy with Napoleon’s rules and those that work with Snowball are …show more content…
Although, power is an essential element in society for social order. When when taken to the extreme, it can corrupt an individual and leave a society in oppression. Thus, it is important that power is not fallen into the wrong