Power Corrupts and Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely

George Orwell's Animal Farm suggests, "Absolute power corrupts absolutely." It simply means the more power and control one has over the other, but then more corruption is possible for that person. There are many examples in the book of power corrupting those in charge. This universal principle remains relevant today, as we can observe similar patterns in various situations - from school councils to global politics. The novel's genius lies in its ability to show this transformation through a simple yet profound allegory.

From the essay on Animal Farm, you can learn that in the article the animals in power are the two pigs: Napoleon is the pig with the most power and Snowball is the second with less power.

The Origins of Power on Animal Farm

Throughout the book, the pigs use their power to get more power. This gradual accumulation of authority follows a pattern that we can observe throughout history, where leaders slowly expand their control through seemingly small changes that add up over time.

In the book, Old Major was a respected animal on the farm. He had given a speech which got all of the animals' emotions into rebellion. His power of trust and respect persuaded the other animals into the vision of his dream. Interestingly, his charisma and idealistic vision resonated deeply with the animals - after all, who hasn't dreamed of a more just world? Old Major at the time had all of the power, but history proved that dictatorship does not work. It will lead them to corruption in communism-style governments. He started to lead the animals into action, which led to a rebellion and problems later on. Perhaps this is where we see the first sign of power's corrupting nature - when noble ideas become tools of manipulation.

The Transfer of Power and Its Consequences

The power had corrupted society and absolute power that was eventually obtained becomes corrupt within. When Old Major dies, Napoleon, Squealer, and Snowball take his place. This moment of power transfer becomes critical - how often do we see followers distort their leader's original vision?

The first year everything on the farm went great. They were teaching some animals to read and write which helped some of them and the crops that they had grown were perfect at harvest time. It's remarkable how initial success can mask the brewing tensions beneath - much like in many political movements throughout history. Soon after, the farm leaders weren't so close anymore. Napoleon and Snowball were always in disagreement.

The First Signs of Power Corruption

Snowball had made plans to help the farm by building a windmill, but Napoleon decided that he was the one with more power and disagreed with Snowball's plans. This conflict perfectly illustrates how power can turn former allies into bitter rivals. Haven't we seen similar power struggles in our own communities? Snowball didn't want to give up, but one day Napoleon sent his dogs after Snowball and they chased him out of the farm and ended up killing him. This brutal elimination of opposition marks a turning point - when dialogue is replaced by force, we witness power's ultimate corruption.

The Rise of Absolute Power

After Snowball's death, Napoleon took over 'The Animal Farm.' As soon as that happened, the farm had food shortages, deaths, and hard laborers. Napoleon used all of his knowledge to take over the farm. He had all the pigs and dogs on his side. This consolidation of power through strategic alliances shows a pattern we've seen repeated countless times in history - divide and conquer. Napoleon now had absolute power over all of the animals.

Here we see the classic transformation of power into corruption. Later on, Napoleon's power had corrupted the whole idea of The Seven Commandments and Animalism. When everything fell into Napoleon's hands, he switched 'All animals are equal' to 'All animals are equal but some more than others' (134). This masterful manipulation of language reminds us how those in power often reshape reality to suit their needs. Think about how modern leaders sometimes adjust their promises after gaining power. Being equal means everyone is treated the same, not that some animals are equal and these animals are more equal. This brought the farm back to exactly how it had started. This corrupt decision made the animals think they could not question his unfair decisions simply because some animals are more equal than others. That took away all of their equality and freedom that kept the farm together.

The Ultimate Corruption of Power

Napoleon and the other pigs take control and have absolute power over the animals. A few examples are how the animals start to agree with Napoleon more as the days go on. Boxer says, "If Comrade Napoleon says it, it must be right" (56). That is how Napoleon gained his motto as "Napoleon is always right." This blind faith in leadership is perhaps the most dangerous consequence of absolute power - when critical thinking gives way to unquestioning obedience.

Napoleon continues to make corrupt changes to the commandments and rules as he gains more and more authority. "Napoleon accepted, through Whymper, a contract for four hundred eggs per week" (76). It was unfair to the hens and he should have no control over that. The exploitation of the vulnerable reveals how power, when unchecked, leads to increasingly brazen acts of oppression.

Another example would be that all of the animals were afraid to question the pigs and their decisions. When Napoleon realizes he has the most power, he starts to take advantage of it. Napoleon starts to tweak the commandments to his own advantage. He creates a rule saying, "The milk and windfall apples should be reserved for the pigs alone" (36). Napoleon had only made this rule to benefit himself and his own kind.

Conclusion

Squealer says, "surely there is no one among you who wants to see Jones come back?" (36). Squealer is trying to frighten the other animals into thinking that Napoleon is actually doing the right thing. This manipulation through fear shows how those corrupted by power maintain their control - by presenting themselves as the only alternative to an even worse fate. The pigs should be treated the exact same way as all the other animals. This is actually how Napoleon's corrupt set of values started.

No other animal had the guts to question Napoleon's power and decisions, which worsened the current situations and made Napoleon become corrupt. Napoleon had made a stern set of rules, but if he happened to break a rule, his fellow pigs would use euphemisms by adding a couple of words to the rule to simply explain the true meaning. Then when the other animals thought the pigs were breaking the rules, they were fooled because Napoleon had changed the commandments before they went to read them. This gradual erosion of principles, coupled with the manipulation of truth, completes our understanding of how absolute power corrupts absolutely - not in a single moment, but through a series of small compromises that eventually transform the entire system.

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