Power brings both privileges and responsibilities

Power brings both privileges and responsibilities

Power is an authority which is derived or cast upon a person, group, corporation or an entity to bring in desired results. The genesis of power lies in knowledge, skill and strength. Every role which is assigned to a person comes with a certain amount of power that may have to be exercised in order to be able to satisfactorily play the part. In almost all key functional areas of excellence the element of power is present. Sometimes it is inherent by virtue of the profession and in other cases it is acquired. It is also inbuilt in the Military, Navy, Air Force, Police and Judicial System of a country, in accordance with the Charter.
Everybody aspires for power because it enhances visibility. It gives the authority to be able to influence and control the action of others, especially those who are not bestowed with it. People wield power in various capacities such as a parent, teacher, politician, executive, celebrity and also as a citizen of a country. For example, parents are empowered to shape the lives of their children and make them responsible citizens of the country and lead quality life with a sense of well being. A teacher or a professor, by virtue of his qualification and wisdom imparts knowledge and training to the students. A soccer coach trains and boosts the career of the sportsmen. Likewise a company executive has the power to elicit performance from those who report to him/her. A business man has the power to participate and contribute to a nation’s growth and prosperity. Government has the power to make policies, rules and regulations for the governance of the country. A citizen of any country with his inherent right of franchise has the power to elect the Government. The basis of power is the very challenge of commitment, performance, change, contribution and excellence that one aspires to bring about, within his sphere of expertise.
Power is however a two way street. It confers both privileges and comes with its share of responsibilities, as well. Powerful posts are the most coveted ones because of these privileges. The privileges depend on the nature and extent of clout one’s office or post can command. For example the Office of a President or Prime Minister of a country confers privileges befitting that post. Likewise any other Public office or those of a businessman or a Company CEO confers privileges commensurate with the demands of that position. Position, status, wealth, fame and honor are the add-ons of power. Power is essential for effective leadership. It enhances visibility and builds on the leadership qualities of those in power. For example a CEO has the authority to take decisions for the benefit of his organization. Power is essential for effective leadership. It enhances visibility and builds on the leadership qualities of those in power. Nations thrive on this magic word. The super powers are able to command their way in global economy because of their ability to influence the other less powerful countries which are dependent on them.
Empowerment thus can create wonders if used in the way it is supposed to be. There is an immense responsibility to not misuse or abuse power at any level and at any cost. Power struggle and power competitions can assume ghastly proportions and can have dire consequences which may take a long time to repair. One should be able to draw the line between exertion of authority and coercion. For example a company executive needs to be given the authority to be able to take decisions in the interests of the company. At the same time, he should be held responsible for exercising his authority judiciously and rationally keeping in mind the organizational goals. Take another example of celebrities. They have an unprecedented power over their fans and followers that they can easily influence their attitudes and behaviour.
Power should not be unlimited and needs to have a framework of rules and regulations within which it can be enforced. Overdose of anything can be detrimental. Greed for power and abuse of the same often leads to dire consequences as violence, trauma and several social problems. Newspapers are replete with such information. Family disputes, severe punishment meted out by a teacher on a student are not unheard of. Powerful countries have trampled on the economy of the less powerful nations. It is the struggle for power and also as a safeguard or to protect themselves against enemy nations that the nuclear proliferation treaty has emerged.
There is a moral responsibility also to not misuse power. Simultaneously, the pressure to be able to exercise power rationally is another responsibility. The higher the power, responsibility increases manifold. For example the supreme political authority of a nation or of its judiciary and the likes is an extremely powerful position. This indeed is a very admirable position. But governance of a nation and steering the nation towards progress is by no means an easy task. This is a heavy burden that comes with the powerful position. With power comes the constant pressure to perform and to be consistent. The power has privileges albeit comes with a huge degree of responsibility of steering the nation’s wheel towards the path of progress.
Therefore, it is wise to realize the boundaries of power so that it can be used constructively. Hence there is a moral responsibility also to not misuse power. As the renowned playwright William Shakespeare had said ‘O, it is excellent to have a giant's strength, but it is tyrannous to use it like a giant’.