Whether in the political, economic or social arenas, when it comes to relationships, it is common to hear about abuse of power. I understand by "power" the ability of a person, situation or thing to influence, modify or alter positively or negatively certain reality. Also I understand by "abuse", the improper use of the ability to influence, of one (s) person (s) on another (s) that usually cause damage of various kinds.
The abuse of power occurs or can occur in any environment. political, economic, media, etc. Although these forms of abuse can be presented independently, we also find them combined with a repowered effect, as happens when political and economic power or economic and media power are integrated. The greater the accumulated power, the greater the risk of imbalance in the relationship process. If having power puts us at risk of being potential abusers, not having it puts us at risk of being abused by those who hold it.
By analyzing who is most likely to be the victim of abuse, it can be concluded that this stems from their weakness. Thus, the most prone are: children, the elderly, the sick, prisoners, women, employees, the poor and, in general, the most ignorant, unconscious or dispossessed.
Due to their influence over others, and according to some investigations, the most abusive appear to be: politicians, military, police, lawyers and criminals, with an emphasis on politicians, who have the power to influence or determine the approval or repeal of laws, initiation or cessation of warfare, the military and police, and the management of large public resources for the collection of taxes and other modalities.
There are many types of abuse that we must pay attention to in the direction of prevention and solution. Kerby Anderson refers to:
- Emotional Abuse: Involves the use of psychological games to control or emotionally harm: humiliation, intimidation, stalking, fear, etc. Usually includes verbal abuse Physical abuse: Involves the use of body parts or weapons to threaten, punish, dominate, contain, control, or injure another person) Sexual abuse: Involves the use of forced sexual actions that can dominate, manipulate, threaten, injure, corrupt or control another person. Social abuse: Involves involves forms of domination and control of another person's social relationships. Financial abuse: Involves using money and other financial methods to dominate, threaten, or control the economy of others. Spiritual abuse: It involves control of another person's religious interests or practices.
If we combine these forms of abuse, and list the possible damages, we will notice that many of the evils and human sufferings are due to abuse of power. Some consequences: frustration, humiliation, low self-esteem, depression, discredit, pain, suffering, imprisonment, disappearances, isolation, kidnapping, murder, among others.
There are characteristics that operate as partial detectable indicators in some personalities that show behavioral tendencies of abuse, they are: Authoritarian style of communication, selfish disposition, power eagerness, difficulty in accepting suggestions or criticisms, immoral and permissive parenting environments, history of dysfunctional homes, high need to attract attention, pleasure in damaging animals, frequent use of drugs, pleasure in breaking the law, high competitiveness, and the possibility of acting in contexts of judicial impunity.
Those who use their quotas of power to abuse can do so convinced that they are acting appropriately. There are many mistakes that have been made using the law or God as an excuse.
When analyzing abuse of power, we must examine three aspects carefully: intention, method and consequences. Sometimes damage occurs without that being the conscious intention, although on other occasions it is. Regarding the methods, we will say that even if you have a good intention when acting, the way, the mechanism used can be inadequate, like the father who for wanting to take care of his children punishes them severely. Inhuman methods generally reveal unconsciousness or cruelty; innocent carelessness or moral weakness and lack of empathy, respect or compassion.
The consequences of abuse are essential for the abuser to change his behavior. Regularly the abused suffers and loses. To change that implies to instruct the abuser, because if he does not receive punishment for his acts, he pays the grayish ground and complicit in the impunity that encourages new abuses. Behaviorism teaches us that rewarding behavior tends to repeat itself. And omission, neglect, operates here as a prize for antisocial action.
People or groups who lie, attack, steal or violate the laws are abusing the power that their rights confer on them. If a government does it, it turns out to be much worse, and that government loses credibility and legitimacy, and is exposed to legal sanctions, many of them imprescriptible, or the loss of the support of its followers and / or voters.
It is possible to avoid abuse if it is not tolerated and assumes the need for a personal and social change that is certainly not easy or immediate. Specifically, I see three ways to regulate human social coexistence and overcome abuse trends: Ethics, morals and the law.
Ethics is the individual capacity to evaluate each situation as good or bad, convenient or inconvenient, adequate or inadequate, according to its own or particular values.
Morality is related to the convictions and social traditions exerted as pressure on the members of the group, for the maintenance of good customs. And the law is the framework of accepted norms that regulate the coexistence of societies, including the sanctions applicable to those who commit crimes. Ideally, as Alexander Solzjenitsin has said, everyone should self-regulate. If this does not happen, the people, the collective, can put pressure on the misfits, pushing them to take the socially accepted path. And as a third way, if ethics and morals fail, the neutral application of the laws prevails.
Those who must exercise legality are responsible to a large extent for the abuse to be reduced or increased.
To combat abuse of power, we must start within ourselves, overcoming selfish and utilitarian tendencies in managing ties; and avoiding hurting the weakest. Also assuming tolerance and benevolence as necessary values.
From a social perspective, it is important to avoid excess influence in the hands of a few, so political, economic, media or any monopolies must find a counterweight. Finally, for those who do not believe in earthly human laws, perhaps they should reflect on the law of God. Thanks for reading me.
