Etterra@discuss.online 2 weeks ago
No, they’re usually just power tripping. When certain people get even a modicum of power, real or imagined, they become full-on dictators at superluminal velocities. There’s some crossover with powerless people seeking revenge on the world at large (or any piece of it) for their misfortune or flights against them, real or imagined. I don’t have any data on the ratios but my gut instinct wild-ass guess is that at least 25-33% fall into the tinpot tyrant category.
Whats_your_reasoning@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
I imagine that phenomenon is similar to how super sheltered kids become the wildest teenagers/young adults (whichever age they are when they first get a taste of freedom.) Like how people with newfound freedom often party hard with it, people who’ve never been in a position of power before can easily take their new authority too far.
Totally not excusing it. It’s not some inevitable “human nature” thing. There are good parents, teachers, and others in positions of authority that take their responsibility to others seriously. They’re the ones that allow some modicum of function in society.
But those who seek power for its own sake are going to be ruthless about it. Then once someone has power, it’s extremely difficult for them to let it go.