What is Power? (Final Exam)

There are many things that could define Power, but I think that the best definition, however, is the ability to rule and benefit other people. A person with power has to have the qualities of a good leader. Once a person is given the ability to rule, it doesn't make them more important than everyone else; though they will be a lot more respected if they can rule but still act like every other person.

An example for misuse of power is Animal farm; Napoleon and Snowball were given power, though they both misused it. Napoleon decided that because he was given so much power and authority, he was able to rule over everyone else. This is exactly the opposite of the definition of power. Power means that you can rule but still relate to everyone else that are 'beneath' you. It means that you can make sure everyone is 'equal' and gets equal shares in everything.

When Europe was colonizing Africa, they thought that since the Africans were very poor and did not know any better, they were somehow 'better' than them. They decided that since they were given power over them they could also treat them like animals. This is another example of the misuse of power. Not many people that are given the ability to rule can do it without it getting to their heads, and that's why many leaders are selfish and abuse their power.

An example of good use of power is from the book 'The Giver'. The Giver is very highly respected in Jonas's community. He was given the power to hold all the community's memories and advise the elders whenever they are faced with a situation they have never faced before. The Giver and Jonas have the power to change the community, but they don't use it to feel like they are more important than others. Jonas still goes out to play with his friends, still sits to eat dinner with his family. Even though he was given so much respect to receive the memories from the giver, he didn't abuse it and treated everyone around him like he always did.

In conclusion, the word power means to be given the ability to rule without misusing it. Most leaders think that because they were given power, they are more significant than everybody else. Though other leaders don’t abuse their power and treat everyone the same as he would like them to treat him.