The Watergate Scandal
The Watergate Scandal, arguably, may be the most famous one in U.S. history. It doesn't just show the rot at the top, but it also shows where the triumphant individual can go wrong. According to Reich Myth, "corruption seems to be an inevitable outcome of concentrated power and privilege due to the filthiest weakness of human nature- insatiable greed."
Watergate is definitely a tale of corruption, decadence, and irresponsibility in high places. Not to mention the conspiracy against the common citizen. I liked this example because the process premises can be seen.
The Process Premises
In the first process premise of needs it shows ego-gratification, reassurance of worth, and Nixon's need for a sense of power. In the second process premise it shows fear and pride. Nixon was so fearful he would lose his power that he intentionally abused his power of government. And he was prideful enough to think he could get away with it. With the third process premise the attitudes of the government at the time show an influence on cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functions. The fourth process premise of consistency shows all the sources of cognitive dissonance, including the Loss of Group Prestige, Economic Loss, Loss of Personal Prestige and the Uncertainty of Prediction. These are all relevant with Nixon and the Watergate Scandal.
As the Reich Myth says, 'Power corrupts, and prestige perverts.'
Nice job, Amber. I would have to agree that those in power can and do use that power in negative ways and that the more power one has, the more power one wants. Generally speaking of course. However, we see it over and over and over again as seasons pass and government seats rotate. There is always someone in a position of power somewhere, whether it be in government, business, or any hierarchy of sorts that uses and abuses their position to a negative end. How sad that is.
ReplyDeleteThe very lst presentation which was given by Matt talked about the goodness of a person. Do you think this is solely because of power? Even just by aging it gives us power in some ways. It doesn't have to just be political power. What other factors contribute to this to reach the outcomes of this myth?
ReplyDeleteTaylor, thanks for the questions. I don't think it's power that causes this. I think it is everything that comes along with that power (the side effects). The feeling of being so great and untouchable, then the fear of losing all that. Donald Trump is a great example of someone that exudes power. He feels as though he is untouchable, but his power comes from money, not social standing. Aging does give us power in some ways. I suppose the rot at the top myth could occur just from aging, but in my opinion most people become better as they age not more rotten. For myself I have learned to have more patience, gratitude, love, and a lot less ignorance as I age, and hopefully, I keep growing in these areas as I get even older. All of these things I feel give me more power, but it's not corrupt power. As talked about in the analysis and process premise it is many things combined (the side effects) that causes the rot at the top. It is definitely not just political power that causes rot. In the definition it says this can apply to business leaders, administrators, aristocrats. That same power can be misused by the police force, teachers, parents, anybody really, but the definition is talking about the elite, people in superior positions. People that have more power than just the average Joe. As far as whether people are inherently good I don't know. In my opinion we are all born neutral and it is whatever happens environmentally, emotionally and physically that makes us turn out the way we do. A combination of nature and nurture. Did I cover everything?
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