I am skeptical of the idea that power corrupts. I see little correlation between a man's influence and a man's moral integrity. Perhaps corrupt is the incorrect word. I think it is more, power reveals corruption. Nothing shows you more about a person than the way in which they exercise their authority. The phrase brings to mind generically corrupted authoritarians like Hitler, Idi Amin, etc. but further consideration brings to mind figures who contradict this sentiment: Warren Buffet, Bill Gates, the two richest men in the world, both full time philantropists, whose power has enabled them to contribute to humanity in such a way that is beyond many of our wildest dreams. If Power corrupts, and as they say, absolute power corrupts absolutley, then we're all right royally frenched.
This is why size is not an issue for me. Governments, Corportations, Business, Family, Big or small, can be good or bad. The integrity of their actions isn't proportioned to the size of the institute. Look at Google as a worldwide example. Or the local drug dealership.
It is easy to hide vices, however, when no one cares who you are. And perhaps the sentiment stems from the fact that our corruption cannot express itself until it is given the means to do so.
Thus we identify the distinction:
Corruption is not borne of power, but rather power enables it to manifest. Power reveals.
Maybe this is why we hate our leaders so much.
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