**By Sumit Paul**
Historian and moralist Lord Acton famously said in 1887, “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men.” This observation highlights how despotic power often leads to moral corruption and ethical decline.
The situation in Bangladesh exemplifies Acton’s warning. It’s not just political power that corrupts; any form of power can have a detrimental effect on both the person who wields it and those who are affected by it.
People crave three things: power, wealth, and fame. Politics offers these quickly and easily, which is why politics and absolute power often go hand in hand. Throughout history, politics has been a murky arena, as Plato argued, where selfish individuals driven by personal desires rather than the common good can rise to power.
Political power is particularly tempting and can create a sense of superiority that is hard to relinquish. Those who hold such power often become addicted to it, fearing that it might one day be taken away from them.
Power and politics have a dangerous allure, much like a moth drawn to a flame. Even though a moth knows the flame will destroy it, it cannot resist the pull. Similarly, politicians are aware that their pursuit of power can lead to their downfall, but the immediate rewards of power, such as popularity and wealth, make it hard for them to let go. British Prime Minister Herbert Henry Asquith once warned that totality can be perilous. Although there have been some principled politicians throughout history, they are rare.
When the public challenges corrupt leaders, it often leads to widespread chaos. In modern times, this chaos frequently intersects with religious fervor, as politics and religion often intertwine. In Bangladesh, for example, the recent government ignored the murders of atheists and rationalists by extremists. Politicians sometimes use religion to maintain power but may ultimately be overthrown by those they have empowered.
The turmoil in Bangladesh serves as a reminder that politics and religion should remain separate. It illustrates that politicians who rely on unethical practices may eventually face consequences. While politics and ethics may seem at odds, they can be integrated to ensure the survival of democracy.
