Might is Right

The old saying ‘Power corrupts; infinite power corrupts infinitely’ is the eternally true corollary to the Hitlerite slogan “Might is Right.” It is a valid truth in practically every sphere of human life. ‘Might’, or the possession of total power by either an individual or a group seems to bring out the most universally condemned failings of mankind; pride, arrogance, contempt of the weak, and the presumption of infallibility. it is often mingled with fear.

The dangers of the ‘Might is Right’ doctrine are very apparent in the field of politics. If a president becomes dictator, we soon discover that democratic processes wither and die and that ultimately, even the rule of law is challenged. The head of a police state, however, lives in fear; hence, the imprisonment of opponents, the armed escorts, the arbitrary changes of law, the oppression of minorities. Domestic and foreign affairs are handled automatically and capriciously, other countries being alienated. Totalitarian states carry within themselves the seeds of their own destruction; Julius Caesar, Genghis Khan, and Adolf Hitler all bear witness to the fact. Eventually, people rebel. The tyrant or the caucus falls to the assassin. ‘Might be right’ — for a time, but rarely for very long.

The principles actuating nations also hold good for individuals. Everybody hates the bully, the hold-up man, the brutal murderer, who all pay unconscious tribute to the principle of ‘Might is Right.’ Such individuals are anti-social, and the laws of all nations include stern measures for dealing with them.

In the modern business world, the principle has regrettably many adherents. Many a headline tells of the ‘take-over bid,’ the ‘price ring,’ the ‘squeeze’ put on the small businessman. Often, the public suffers from high prices and over standardization of products, but, this is partly competition of a free state in the commercial and business world, and partly by Government intervention, sometimes in the form of the nationalization of basic supplies and the sources of raw materials.

In some communities, it is said that the ‘might is right’ principle holds good in the administration of justice. Justice Galsworthy’s play “The Silver Box’ implies that in early 20th century England, there was ‘one law for the rich and another for the poor.’ Such is very rarely the case nowadays in enlightened or civilized countries, a testimony to mankind’s general approval of the principle of fair play.

‘Might’ may have ‘right’ on its side in a major war, and people generally accept the morality of a greater force putting down a tyranny. ‘Might’ is also ‘right’ in the sphere of sport, where the best man wins, and is applauded for doing so.

But humanity never allows ‘the weak to go to the wall’ forever. Power is dangerous and therefore feared. History had taught us to shun the ‘might is right’ principle. we can only hope that a more civilized principle will govern the actions of those nations, who, today have a stake in the ‘space-age.’