Essay Example on Power and Responsibility

Power refers to the capacity to perform a task. Taking a responsibility for a task means power. People taking a responsibility for a task gain power. It is a fact that when one takes a responsibility to do a number of tasks, they gain power. People in power lead by example and teach their followers the right paths to follow. Haselhuhn asserts that power makes an individual responsible. In organizations, delegating duties requires power. People in power delegate duties within the jurisdictions of the power. Performing tasks without the influence of the external forces are a sign of power (Nelson, 12).Often, people can tell the difference between people in power because of the nature of responsibilities in their possession. Power pushes individuals to perform a responsibility. It is possible that a person gains power through a responsibility. People give a power, which makes people responsible.

In the society, people in power are expected to balance authority and responsibility. The society expects much from the people in power. The great expectation from the society pushes the people in power to act responsibly. Apparently, there is a close relationship between satisfaction and power. The ability of the leader to establish equilibrium between power and responsibility makes them relevant in the society. Often, power without a responsibility is irrelevant in the society. The society expects that people in power are ready for the consequences of their actions. The society condemns various malpractices in the society that involves miss use the power for selfish gains (Haselhuhn et al.4). The leaders in the society are expected to uphold trenchancy in making decisions.

The people in power are expected to instruct the other to implement the decisions. The expectation of the members of the society is that the people in power will give instruct, approve an action and decide on the course of action. The people in power need to assess the implications of their activities to ensure that the followers are satisfied. The society requires leaders who consider the pitfalls and the success of the decisions. It is important that the people in power make inclusive decisions. The use of power for selfish gains renders the responsibilities of the people in power irrelevant to the society. Assessment of the actions of the persons in power helps in correcting the mistakes and ensuring that the people are satisfied.

Vigilantism is illegal because it does follow the rule of law. The people in power ought to stick to the law while attempting to deliver their responsibilities in the society. It is imperative that people in power are responsible for their deeds and avoid using their power to enrich a few individuals. Vigilantism is illegal because it shows a lack of responsibility (Haselhuhn et al.4). Often, the police officers have the power to arrest the lawbreakers and administer punishment within the provisions of the law. However, when the officers act outside the provisions of the law, they become irrelevant and appear to fall short of their responsibilities. Power without understanding the jurisdictions of the law makes the people in power irresponsible. It is paramount that individuals are able to account for their actions in the society. Accounting for the responsibility makes an individual remains within the provisions of the law.

Power has strengths and weakness. For example, people in power are forgetful and may use their authorities to protect their interest. In many developing countries, a person in power uses their position to enrich him or herself and forget to remain accountable for their actions. Some people use power to retain their position. Power comes with privileges and therefore a person uses the position maintain the power.

Politicians have power because they are popular, and have money. The politician gives priority to their interest that of the people they lead comes last. One of the tactics that the politicians use to retain power is corruptions (Winterich et al.275). They use their wealth to buy power from the people. However, a person uses peaceful demonstration to show they are dissatisfied with people in power. For example, countries such as Zimbabwe decided to disobey the law to remove their president from power. In this case, it is apparent that people protect their interests from the people in power through unity.

There are vices that people in power practices to ensure they remain in power. For example, the politicians protect their followers to ensure that they retain their positions. The act of corruptions, lack of transparency and accountability are some of the things that help the politicians to remain in power. The rebellions and the formation of the resistance movements to protest against the injustices in the country is one of the tools that most people use to protect themselves from the actions of the politicians.

Work Cited

Nelson, Alissa Jones. Power and responsibility in biblical interpretation: Reading the Book of Job with Edward Said. Routledge, 2014.

Winterich, Karen Page, and Yinlong Zhang. "Accepting inequality deters responsibility: How power distance decreases charitable behavior." Journal of Consumer Research 41.2 (2014): 274-293.

Haselhuhn, Michael P., Elaine M. Wong, and Margaret E. Ormiston. "With great power comes shared responsibility: Psychological power and the delegation of authority." Personality and Individual Differences 108 (2017): 1-4.