Problem
Abuse of power
Experimental visualization of narrower problems
Nature:
Power tends to corrupt and has proved itself addictive to many, who have institutionalized it along with its misuse and abuse. Some of the dehumanizing effects of "power for its own sake" are exploitation, poverty, greed, bigotry, inequality, superstition, racism, sexism, war, overpopulation, genocide, environmental destruction, oppression, and human misery of every imaginable kind.
One important difference between conventional crime and acts involving abuses of power is that many of the latter are committed under the guise of legitimacy. Concentration camps are justified by the need to protect internal security. Police abuse of power is legitimized as necessary to combat crime, to fight 'evil' with force. Extra-judicial executions are portrayed as acts of self-defence. The use of 'dirty tricks', undemocratic or outright illegal means, the overt or covert violations of civil liberties are thus rationalized and presented to an unsuspecting or an uninformed public as necessary and legitimate.
Broader Problems:
Immorality Narrower Problems:
ManipulationAbuse of authorityAbuse of influenceMisuse of resourcesAbuse of economic powerAbuse of cultural valuesAbuse of cultural valuesAbuse of government powerAbusive national leadershipAbusive treatment of the agedPhysical maltreatment of childrenInadequate assistance to victims of abuse of powerRankism Related Problems:
AggressionVictimizationSeizure of power Aggravates:
CoercionOppressionIntimidationUnethical practicesExploitation of trustFear of abuse of powerBehavioural deteriorationUnethical military practicesUnethical practices by police forces Subject(s):
Metapolitics → Metapolitics Societal Problems → Maltreatment
Related UN Sustainable Development Goals:
Problem Type:
A: Abstract Fundamental Problems Date of last update
16.04.2019 – 14:00 CEST