Heroes are central characters. They are time and again protagonists, ‘good guys’ and the chief characters of comic books. They play the role of orienting the audience in the line of the author’s story-telling. Villains are winning over characters who are often antagonists. They have evil motivations and wrong action to rhyme. The difference between the superheroes and the villains is that the heroes feel a sense of responsibility to other people who are not as powerful as them, but for the villains, they use the power to benefit themselves without having compassion on other people (The Write Practice 2015, p.1). The aim of this paper is to show that power is good in objection to some of its negative attributes.
In our current society, leadership is seen as the power to influence people to accomplish the established objectives. Henceforth, leaders play a role in modeling the behavior of the subjects. They ought to be role models, risk-takers, trustworthy, confident when making decisions, self-controlled and should also have a positive attitude. Most states in the current world are promoting democracy. It is the rule of the people and by the people (Somin et. al, p.1). However, for this to be effective, the people must be familiar with the constitution. Without democracy, it becomes difficult to hold the political leaders accountable for their enactments.
Power is the ability to control individuals or things (Bass, p.15). There should be a cordial alliance between the people and their leaders. In addition, there should be proper understanding and interdependence between the two parties. The interdependency depicts reciprocity, which is very vital in making the parties both feel that they are involved in the alliance. Effective communication is also necessary. The leaders should set good examples since they have the authority. When power becomes decentralized, the people tend to become irrational (Mohamad et. al, p.263). Power is real and has been used to influence societies worldwide. Provision of services to the people in the context of one’s mandate has been used therefore giving basic needs to those that may lack the same. Good power tends to give people a sense of security. The leaders of Southeast Asia and Australia’s concerns about the Chinese military capabilities makes them continue strengthening their security ties with the United States. This is because they want to continue giving their people safe keeping.
Power is useful and has provided a more secure world through which people can reside and provides the necessary environment where peace and harmony can thrive. Through power moderate and sensible government leaders provide frameworks that foster national unity thus maintaining peace and order. World leaders all over use their power to exploit national resources through which the proceeds are used to attain boost government organizations mandated with the maintenance of peace. Additionally, major superpowers like the USA have used their power to help maintain world peace through policies and programs that curtail war efforts and national hostilities where there is a lack of the democracy and excessive use of force (Herman 3). This has been attained through fighting off terrorist activities that have caused havoc in the global scene. International bodies like the United Nations have also used power to the benefit of the world through the employment of troops in war-torn countries especially Africa i.e. Chad. Subsequently, this international body uses its influence to assist in humanitarian aid programs that help problem stricken areas especially in times of national disasters and war.
In the superheroic story of Kal-El, he is the hero with super powers. He indicates that power is good. He is born on a distant planet called Krypton. Kal-El is raised with high moral standards. His biological parents were Jor-El and Lara. His father was a scientific genius, and his mother was a former astronaut in Krypton. Kal-El had no superpowers while on Krypton, but the powers are revealed when he goes to Earth. Jor-El discovered that Krypton was doomed to explode. He built a rocket spaceship to rescue lives away from the dying planet. He launched the spacecraft to earth and urged Lara to go with Kal-El, but she swore to remain with her husband (The Weeklings, p.1).
Kal-El is sent to planet Earth as a child so as to survive the destruction of Krypton. The rocket lands in an open field in Smallville. He is discovered by small-scale farmers, Jonathan Kent, and Martha Kent. Martha persuades Jonathan they adopt the child, and names him Clark. They try to fit Clark into the society. As young as eight years of age, he started helping out the local people. From there he begins to find his true calling, at the same time trying to fit as ‘an ordinary Clark Kent.’ He utilizes his extraordinary superpowers to combat evil and safeguard the blameless.
Power in comical books and articles may be used for the benefit of others, and this is illustrated through Kal-El, and this power may also emanate from his strong background and upbringing that creates a character that uses his influence for the betterment of others. His Kryptonian parents raised him well and the same case to his earth parents, the Kent’s. Jonathan and Martha instill a perfect sense of good and bad in him. On land, Clark grows up mindful of obeying the laws and works directly with Officer Chief Parker and other law enforcement agencies. This orients his path towards accepting the role of a Super boy. By the time he was twelve years of age, his town had recognized him as their favorite Superboy.
Kal-El’s powers include Kryptonian physiology, solar energy absorption, invulnerability, longevity, self-sustenance, flight, time-travel, photographic memory, genius level intellect and heat vision (The Weeklings, p.1). He also had superhuman stamina, superhuman strength, superhuman hearing, superhuman breath, and supervision. Lex Luthor is another character who reads about Clark Kent and forces his parents they move to Smallville. He moved in with the intention of using his massive talents in scientific inventiveness to aid the Superboy. He discovers the Superboy's weaknesses to Kryptonite.
Power is also an excellent motivator and is used under the influence of strong personalities and leaders. Power makes one hold control and this is majorly done through the creation of important values that may be reflective with others who identify with those in positions of authority. Power is advantageous in a national and organizational outlook as leaders take a positional stance in the upholding of standards. Power may be used to change ethics as a way of life, and this is evident in organizational circles where influential leaders can be used to transmit ethical behavior and conduct.
Moral leadership may cause increased ethical decision-making behaviors and more pro-social behavior while maintaining a negative attitude towards unproductive behavior, therefore, increasing the likelihood of more productivity in an area or organization. In the case scenario that there is continued influence and use of power to influence organizational or national behaviors in a positive manner this will trickle down to the subordinates who are then expected to meet the required standards of practice. Therefore, power may be advantageous in affecting output and increasing productivity. Power bestows one with the influence to effect changes whenever there is ineffectiveness in an organization or a country. This is good as it ensures that quality is upheld at all instances, and set targets are achieved.
Leaders lead through mobilization strategies in which they indicate compelling evidence on future prospects from which they inspire people to follow in their paths. They are visionary and use this influence to motivate individuals and make the possibilities their realities. Through energetic efforts they use power to provide a sense of purpose and need for accomplishment. Power is used to model a way of thought that is used to encourage individuals to act based on these deeds. Power can be used to foster positivity in the community.
True life leaders who used their power positively to influence the world or their areas of jurisdiction include Nelson Mandela. Nelson was instrumental in effecting change in South Africa as he brought about modifications in the country that positively influenced the nation and led to a new era in post-apartheid South Africa. His strong will power and influence assisted in the fight against injustices in the country. Nelson used his power and influence to help warring factions that did not see eye to eye and promoted equality. Power is good as indicated by the leader as it can be employed for the benefit of the citizens. Mandela also transformed the country into a capitalist nation as well as creating a rainbow nation. The pursuit of foreign investors, reduction of crime and influencing policy on growth were some of the positive outcomes brought about by Mandela as well as maintaining and upholding national values.
History informs us that each and every religion known and practiced by human beings sets the principles and rules that he follows. Even in the current society, religion is a primary ingredient of influencing a person’s behavior. It can make people act better. Examples of world leaders that have used power for the benefit of the community is Pope Francis. The pope uses religion to influence the world positively as he yields spiritual authority and influence. The pope has used his power to improve the living standards of the poor through initiatives that create awareness and provision of funding for those in maligned states. There are also other activities used by the Pope to spread goodwill, and this includes the use of his influence to support peace programs in countries that have civil strife and in the face of terrorism.
Religion controls the use of power and dictates morals and behaviors through the provision of benchmarks and acting as a yardstick towards a better future and positive impact through power. Religion affects an individual's behavior especially for those that may be devout in their faith. Religion provides a guide towards the use of power. Religions worldwide like Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism and Judaism contain teachings that can be used to influence the use of power.
More factors play a role in influencing a person’s behavior. The most important of all is our output. We should not allow our actions to be corrupted by anything. We ought to dedicate ourselves to what gives our lives meaning. People with a sense of purpose are driven, focused, committed and are lit up from the inside. We should always try to be good to others, and we will have an ideal society. Therefore, power is good. It enables us to achieve our goals, discovers or strengths and weaknesses; it also unlocks our hidden potentials. Good power boosts the self-esteem of a leader, and it creates a more balanced life.
References
Bass, B.M. Transformational leadership: industry, military, and educational impact. New Jersey: Erlbaum, 1998.
Herman, M. Intelligence power in peace and war. Cambridge University Press. (1996).
Mohamad, Wardah, et al. "Subordinates Response to their Leaders Influence and Power: A Case of a Property Market Agency." American Journal of Economics (2015): 259-263.
Somin, Ilya., et al. cato unbound. 11 10 2013. 26 April 2016. <www.cato-unbound.org/>.
The Weeklings. 04 03 2013. 26 April 2016. <www.theweeklings.com/>.
The Write Practice. 2015. 26 April 2016. <www.thewritepractice.com/>.
