TOPIC 6: Nearly all men can stand adversity, but to test the character, give him power.(UPSC CSE 2024)

Introduction

“The measure of a man is what he does with power.”- By Plato. The epic Ramayana has characters Rama and Ravana, which contrast how power tests character. Ravana was the great king of Lanka well-endowed with much wealth, knowledge, and power but with much arrogance and desire. His character was tested when he misused this power to abduct Sita, Lord Rama’s wife. It turned out his strength was his weakness since, despite all his power, he could not control his ego and exercise restraint on showing that power. In a battle, Rama freed Sita by defeating Ravana. Rama gained the power over his kingdom, and used it with humility and justice by giving up the kingdom to Ravana’s brother Vibhishana. Thus, Plato here demonstrates that true character is revealed in how one handles power—using not for personal gain, but for the greater good as power as power if misused, corrupts even the wisest.

Interpretation

“He who has overcome his fears will truly be free.” – By Aristotle. The quote suggests that while many individuals can endure hardships and come out brighter. The true depth of all is the moral compass; where temptations, morals, values, principles and integrity are revealed when one holds power. For example, Indira Gandhi withstood the adversity of wars, politics inside the party, poverty, and a poor economic growth. However, her power came to test when she faced a political crises. She declared an Emergency in 1975 when asked to step down due to malpractices in elections. Instead, she declared a nationwide emergency curtailing press freedoms, forced sterilisations, dominating bureaucracy, and constitutional amendments to suppress the dissent. While it is true that resilience characterized her response to adversity, the emergency represented the ultimate test of power in her democratic ideals, thereby indicating that even the greatest leaders who have always excelled under trying circumstances will crumble under the temptation of absolute power. Likewise world examples, Adolf Hitler, is often referred to as a cruel dictator, misusing the heights of power. On the contrary, we have Roosevelt, who, despite his disability, made a New Deal and helped rebuild America from economic crises. Adversity brings out resilience and patience alongside a dash of courage; however, the power show the deepest layer of the character of a person, whether indeed one uses power to uplift or to lower, to serve or only to control.

Elaboration

Withstanding the adversities

 “The gem cannot be polished without friction, nor man perfected without trials.” – By Confucius. Humans have proven strange strength and agility while fighting against all sorts of adversities throughout the ages. Such strength is often fuelled by the outcome of biological, psychological, social and cultural influences. A person suffers from adversities for survival, self-actualization, protection of values, or to come out of problems so that the future becomes a better option. For example, many people have a conscience and feel a responsible attitude towards their family and community or nation. While human evolution has also equipped them with survival techniques, such as the “fight or flight” reaction, which helps them face adversities. For instance, Ernest Shackleton and his crew survived the wreck of the ‘Endurance’ in Antarctica only because of human willpower and ingenuity. Similarly, Mahatma Gandhi’s moral obligation aided him to survive imprisonment and fasting as he led India into a non-violent struggle for independence. Overcoming adversity can lead to self-actualization wherein the individual discovers his potential and purpose. For example, Nelson  Mandela spent 27 years in prison, where his solitary confinement only strengthened his resolve against the apartheid that later on would make him an icon of resilience and a model of forgiveness all over the world. As social beings, humans need on strong relationships for support during challenging times. This social support reduces stress and boosts morale. For example, Malala Yousafzai continued her standing for girls’ education after the Taliban’s failed assassination attempt on her life and family support all over the world pushed her forward. Adversity during times of crisis helps build people spiritually as people seek faith for comfort and moral guidance, making them turn their suffering into a reason associated with belief and will. Faith helps hold on for longer periods and inspires the mind to think of hardship in the light of higher order. For instance, Martin Luther King threatened with his life and even imprisoned. Yet, his Christian faith kept him going. Sometimes, the reason why one endures and even contemplates adversity is for a greater cause than the self. For instance, Aruna Roy’s contribution to Indian social justice show how dedication to a greater purpose can help an individual keep going and inspire collective change. It’s through such adversities that human character is sometimes tested, developed, and ultimately revealed. Thus, Confucius’s quote reveals that people face adversity for survival, a sense of duty, personal growth, faith, social support, a greater purpose, psychological resilience, leadership, or to learn from experiences. Often, such factors interlock, allowing people to cope with great adversity. Such adversities test, develop, and finally reveal human character.

Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely

“Power does not corrupt. Fear corrupts… perhaps the fear of a loss of power.” – By John Steinbeck. Power is a driving force in shaping human society. The quote signifies that power is recognized both as one which sparks progress as well as the one as the source of corruption. Historically,  Ashoka the Great, portrays a transformation of positive power through ethical governance. After the Kalinga War, he exercised his power cautiously towards a more humane regime This reflects the power of introspection. Conversely,  Napoleon Bonaparte, during the Napoleonic Wars, misused his power for personal favours by death and destruction in the end, leading to his downfall. Similarly, Mao’s Cultural Revolution shows much darker aspects of power where he indicted psychological, cultural and social shocks through his Red Guards, perishing millions of people in his extreme hunger for power. On the other hand, heroes like Abraham Lincoln and Helen Keller made their power and presence felt for justice, despite adversities, and served as inspirations to everybody concerned. Lincoln led the nation through the Civil War, emancipating slaves through the Emancipation Proclamation, while Keller was the embodiment of many more social causes despite having many physical disabilities. Critically examining the worst consequences of power,  Holocaust reminds darkly of totalitarianism where Adolf Hitler’s regime killed exploited, experimented, mistreated millions of Jews. He portrayed evil effects of absolute power devoid of morality. However, on the other side, there are reformers like Jyotibha Phule, Ishwar Chand Vidyasagar, Raja Ram Mohan Roy, etc. who, stood their ground on courage, reforms, bringing forth once again the case for girls’ education, women empowerment, abolition of Sati, in India, forcing emphasis on moral leadership. Globally, leaders like North Korea’s Kim Jong-un have presented to the world the continued worst instance of power: by use of fear and repression. The lust for power has isolated North Korea from the rest of world blocking their freedom of life. Even the Chernobyl nuclear disaster reminds of how absolute lure of power can have severe effects on environment. Soviet authorities tried to preserve power and avoid any international humiliation through delayed evacuations of people in the plant and providing information. Similarly, US being the super power and highest contributor of emission, yet walked out of the Paris Agreement, leaving the world at the brink of Climate change. Thus, in summary, the quote of  Lincoln reminds us that it is not suffering or adversity that is the problem but the way we exercise authority and power—whether it exalts or degrades.

Yielding a positive power-character relationship

“Power corresponds to the human ability not just to act but to act in concert.” – By Hannah Arendt. The quotes states that abuse of power can have severe consequences like social unrest, distrust of the public, and democratic institutions becoming less stable. Philosophers like Plato teach that wise and moral utilisation of power is crucial for governance. The institutions of justice like courts are bestowed with power to protect the law. Their methods of judicial reviews and activism shows how power can be kept in order through check and balances. In addition, the Rule of law is a social and moral regulator of power, and the law must be based on the rights such as equality, liberty, and social rights. For instance, leaders such as B.R. Ambedkar, Martin Luther King Jr, who led the race to justice by using the rule of law to advocate for civil rights and justice. Therefore, it is constitutional education that paves the way for acquiring the understanding of the nature and responsibility of power. The best thing a leader can do is use the power to lead with transparency and accountability, not with force. Ethical training programs and role plays can help one inculcate the efficient utilisation of power and character. Kautilya talked about using mind-power not as a weapon but for statecraft and people’s prosperity in his Arthashastra. Immanuel Kant have also argued that power has to be exercised ethically and for the general good. For instance, Prime Ministers, like Jacinda Ardern, demonstrated compassion, empathy and adherence to values through the practice of power during the Covid-19 global crisis. Investing time and resources in conflict resolution and peacebuilding initiatives also boosts the use of power to keep the peace and avoid the use of force violence to portray power. For instance, recently India was pursued by Russia and Ukraine as a peace maker, reflecting India’s reputation as  soft power. Despite being a nuclear nation, India has voiced no first use of nuclear weapons, reflecting its stance on balancing the soft and hard power to maintain world order, thereby aspiring for the ‘Vishwaguru’. Thus, these necessary ethical implications, leads to a fair and stable society. It creates a balance between power and character, enabling thriving people, societies, and nations.

Anti-thesis

Adversity breeds character

“Prosperity is a great teacher; adversity a greater.” – William Hazlitt. The quote explains that adversity in various forms—political, economic, social, technological, environmental, and legal—is often a true test of character than the power itself. Power does not necessarily corrupt but can increase an individual’s capacity to do good. Politically, democratic set ups have leaders who are bound and guided by rule of law, constitution and checks and balances give less room to abuse power. Thus, their character can’t be tested. For example, Aung Suu Kyi, despite showing remarkable patience and morality, was criticised for the treatment of Rohingya. Economically, power often does not let individual face the realities on the ground. For example, the 2008 Economic crisis and the great depression tested character like Franklin D. Roosevelt and Warren Buffets, who, during adversity, showcased resilience while other powerful entities like the Lehman Brothers collapsed. Socially, discrimination, marginalisation or social stigmas shape a person’s character rather power testing the character. Such process are important ways to measure person’s integrity and values. For instance, B.R Ambedkar did not have power when he faced marginalisation in his childhood, yet when he came to power he bought significant changes and gifted India ‘The Constitution’. Technologically, by facing changes of tech upgrades without compromise on ethics, integrity and morals  can show a firms resolve towards integrity, uprightness and morality. For instance, Chandryaan 3 team success despite failures shows that perseverance and hard work as a character trait is superior than power. Legally, an individual opposing unjust laws tests one resolve towards justice, ethics and morality. For example,  Gandhi’s’ satyagraha and fight for truth at Champaran and Kheda proves his bend towards justice and freedom. Hence, building the character through adversities can play a positive role in the society . As power can mask the values, character, and ethics of a person, but adversity will wash off such covers to reveal the true face of his character.

Way Forward

“Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.” – John F. Kennedy. The quote signifies handling the interplay between power and character is in cultivating systems of accountability and fair governance and development of moral leaders. First, institutional structures with checks and balances, will do away with the total absolute power and will force the ruler to act with integrity among the leaders. For example, acts like Prevention of corruption Act (POCA), Representation of Peoples Act (RoPA) 1951), or Civil Service Conduct Rule assists the people to keep the power in check. Also, Education and training on leadership should be on ethical considerations and humility. This should be able empathize with others as future leaders by holding ‘power responsibly’. For instance good governance initiatives, Mission Karmyogi helps one foster positive mental attitude towards responsible use of power, towards the citizens. This also, cultivates a culture of transparency and civic engagement so that citizens feel a stake in calling their leaders into account and ensuring less abuse of power. Using case based and role play based training, by including all stakeholders and value based approach will also help one to manage power for the benefit of all, For instance, role models like  Abraham Lincoln, who united the broken nation, or Jacinda Ardern, governed with compassion inspiring people to see power not as privilege but as responsibility. Ultimately, this requires encouraging humility and empathy in those who wield power and promoting the collective good over personal advantage.

Conclusion

“In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity.” – Albert Einstein. Philosophers such as Plato and Kant ended up arguing for virtue-based leadership; they emphasized the very moral responsibility that came with power. The quote emphasises that morality and ethics are strongly needed today as world is seeing a technological progress. Today’s digital age will provide access to information and influence the future. The power of leaders—be it of governments or tech giants—has an impact on global societies to a scale that is unprecedented in history. But it also opens up new avenues for transparency and accountability through tools like social media, blockchain, and artificial intelligence that will be designed to check abuses of power. In this forward march, what will be critical is that the right balance with ethics drawn from philosophy balances the tug of power and use of technology for accountability to create the leaders, whose character withstands the ultimate test of power.