The Nature of Leadership

Congress refused to act when the Bush administration, without a court order, taps the phones of a still unknown number of American citizens. Then it was revealed that the NSA has also been compiling an extensive database of millions of calls made by ordinary Americans. Congress still refused to act. Then, with a warrant, federal investigators searched the office of a congressman who was caught on tape taking bribes, and was found to have a hundred thousand dollars in cash hidden in his freezer. Suddenly, there is an overwhelming bipartisan cry that the Bush administration has abused their power.

It seems to me that corruption is a fundamental aspect of leadership. Whoever is in power is necessarily corrupt to at least some degree, because that is what it takes to gain power. Noble, benevolent leaders can rarely compete with the corrupt, power-hungry individuals who will do whatever it takes to gain power. As leaders rise to higher and higher offices, the more ruthlessness they need to be to compete with their rivals.