“Of all the manifestations* of power, restraint in the use of that power impresses people most.”
*manifestations: apparent signs or indicators
Explain what you think this quotation means and discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with it. Develop your position with reasons and/or specific examples drawn from history, current events, or your own experience, observations, or reading.
The above said quote implies that out of many forms that the governor or leader might use to manifest his power, the sensible use of power is the most astonishing one. The power is not only an authority assigned to one person, but also responsibility on his shoulders. Being able to restrict oneself from overusing the power one has is a gift, and unfortunately not all leaders could obtain it. The ones that did eventually deserved respect, loyalty and love of their people and subordinates, because being able to control the borders of one’s own power decrease violence in the world, engender equality among people, and develop democracy in society.
First of all, it is commonly accepted that leaders tend to overuse the authority they have been given. Looking back at history, kings and emperors of many ancient countries always dreamt about wealth and power. In an attempt to achieve their ambitions they started wars with neighboring countries, conquered foreign lands and destroyed nations. However, if a leader was able to control his ambitions and think about his people, many wars could have been prevented. That is why, even nowadays people remember and respect governors that were able to overcome their ambitions, and cave the blood spilling.
Second, governor might use his power in order to fulfill his personal demands and those of his relatives. A leader might do so by stealing money, taking bribes and illegally selling natural resources of the country to foreign countries in order to buy mansions abroad, drive luxurious cars and wear top-branded clothes, therefore, giving a rise to corruption in the country. However, there are leaders like Dinmokhammed Konaev, a former President of the Kazakh Soviet Republic, who became a symbol of the governor’s equality to the ordinary people. He lived in an ordinary apartment, his children went to the same college as others, and he ate the same food as the republic’s average citizen did. For this reason, even 15 years after his death people love him and talk about him with deep respect.
Finally, people remember leaders who gave them a freedom of choice. Although, historically most of the governors were not chosen by the crowd, among them we can find those who executed the power in the interest of the ordinary people. Even the monarch can give a rise to democracy in his country. In fact, Ablai khan was one of the greatest kings of the Kazakh country back in 18th century. He based his decisions on the nation’s will when it came to external and internal policy of the country, and that was the first step in the development of democracy in Kazakh society.
Skeptics might argue that restrain in use of power is a sign of weakness of a governor. However, many would agree that it is not a weakness, but strength. The leader that did not lose the ground once he was empowered deserves respect of his subordinates. The governor that did not became obsessed with power and devoted his life to his people deserves faithfulness of the nation.
To sum up, the power is both a prerogative and a responsibility. The sensible use of power will result cease blood spilling, develop equality in society and engender democracy.
*manifestations: apparent signs or indicators
Explain what you think this quotation means and discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with it. Develop your position with reasons and/or specific examples drawn from history, current events, or your own experience, observations, or reading.
The above said quote implies that out of many forms that the governor or leader might use to manifest his power, the sensible use of power is the most astonishing one. The power is not only an authority assigned to one person, but also responsibility on his shoulders. Being able to restrict oneself from overusing the power one has is a gift, and unfortunately not all leaders could obtain it. The ones that did eventually deserved respect, loyalty and love of their people and subordinates, because being able to control the borders of one’s own power decrease violence in the world, engender equality among people, and develop democracy in society.
First of all, it is commonly accepted that leaders tend to overuse the authority they have been given. Looking back at history, kings and emperors of many ancient countries always dreamt about wealth and power. In an attempt to achieve their ambitions they started wars with neighboring countries, conquered foreign lands and destroyed nations. However, if a leader was able to control his ambitions and think about his people, many wars could have been prevented. That is why, even nowadays people remember and respect governors that were able to overcome their ambitions, and cave the blood spilling.
Second, governor might use his power in order to fulfill his personal demands and those of his relatives. A leader might do so by stealing money, taking bribes and illegally selling natural resources of the country to foreign countries in order to buy mansions abroad, drive luxurious cars and wear top-branded clothes, therefore, giving a rise to corruption in the country. However, there are leaders like Dinmokhammed Konaev, a former President of the Kazakh Soviet Republic, who became a symbol of the governor’s equality to the ordinary people. He lived in an ordinary apartment, his children went to the same college as others, and he ate the same food as the republic’s average citizen did. For this reason, even 15 years after his death people love him and talk about him with deep respect.
Finally, people remember leaders who gave them a freedom of choice. Although, historically most of the governors were not chosen by the crowd, among them we can find those who executed the power in the interest of the ordinary people. Even the monarch can give a rise to democracy in his country. In fact, Ablai khan was one of the greatest kings of the Kazakh country back in 18th century. He based his decisions on the nation’s will when it came to external and internal policy of the country, and that was the first step in the development of democracy in Kazakh society.
Skeptics might argue that restrain in use of power is a sign of weakness of a governor. However, many would agree that it is not a weakness, but strength. The leader that did not lose the ground once he was empowered deserves respect of his subordinates. The governor that did not became obsessed with power and devoted his life to his people deserves faithfulness of the nation.
To sum up, the power is both a prerogative and a responsibility. The sensible use of power will result cease blood spilling, develop equality in society and engender democracy.
