Use arguments `pro` and `con` to prove this statement true or false for each of these people / People in positions of power often become abusive to stay in power

"Power tends to corrupt , and absolute power corrupts absolutely " This familiar saying originated as a comment in a letter written by an English historian , Lord Acton . He was a fierce opponent of state power whether the state was democratic , socialist or authoritarian

What characterizes the history of man is the corrupted leaders blinded by their power and might . Throughout history , monarchs , religious and ideological leaders , as well as elected presidents go crazy . The French king Louis ' XIV claim L 'Etat , c 'est moi (I am the State ) is typical to the leaders

then and now . Power certainly seems to corrupt many politicians . Early in their careers , some of these are eager to change the system . They want to help the poor and disadvantaged and to root out corruption and unjust privilege . Yet when they actually get into positions of power , it 's a different story . The old slogans become memories . Instead , it becomes a higher priority to placate and reward powerful bureaucracies in both the government and corporate sectors to sustain own interests . Most of all , it becomes a priority to increase the power and wealth of politicians themselves

One of the most recent examples of our times has been Venezuelan President Hugo Chbvez . Chbvez was catapulted into the national spotlight , with many poor Venezuelans seeing him as a figure who had stood up against government corruption and kleptocracy . Chbvez utilised his charisma and flamboyant public speaking style - noted for its abundance of colloquialisms and ribald manner - on the campaign trail to win the trust and favor of a primarily poor and working class following By May 1998 , Chbvez 's support had risen to 30 in polls , and by August he was registering 39 . Chbvez went on to win the Carter Center-endorsed 1998 presidential election on December 6 , 1998 with 56 of the vote However , within few years of such a rise , he is said to have drafted laws and policies securing his position as the President

The mandate Hugo Chbvez received in 1998 was to conduct change in the country , within the boundaries of the constitution and of democratic principles . In 1998 few voted for a socialist revolution or for an authoritarian government . Few voted for a regime in which political dissidents would be insulted and scorned

How can a president who insulted and harasses considerable sectors of the population be democratic ? A democratic government respects dissidence but President Chbvez persecutes dissidents . A democratic president governs with respect for the independence and autonomy of institutional powers . However , it is well known that no independent powers exist in Venezuela and that Chbvez 's unconditional followers hold all key positions within government institutions . The most notorious examples of this perversion are the Attorney General , the Ombudsman and the Comptroller General . These three positions are constitutionally designed to serve as counterbalance to potential abuses of power or corruption in the Executive and other state institutions . The holders of these posts are expected to be defenders of the common citizen against the excesses...