I believe that when it comes to power there should always be a limit as to how much the people in power should have. This has been proven over time with people like hitler or stalin who managed to become dictators and have no limits to their power which led them to abuse their power in such a way that it is unforgivable. I am not saying that our form of government is not perfect because it is flawed in many aspects but its system of checks and balances has kept this country running and it does not allow for the rise of dictators. In the case of the Athenians over taking the Melians, is the perfect example about the abuse of power. Just because the Athenians had more power, it does not mean that that they should simply just storm in and take over. There is however the exception, just like Hitler other foreign powers came and overthrew the gov't allowing the people from being denied their natural rights of free will. I do not believe that because i don't wish to exercise power means i have weakness it more like wise. By not over stepping ones boundaries keeps things at peace.
The Athenians were at war with Sparta, trying to protect their way of life. Wasn't it the Melians who made the mistake, not submitting peacefully to the Athenians when they had the chance?
ReplyDeleteYou need to address the question: isn't the argument that the powerful should be nice simply the argument made by the powerless party? Aren't the Athenians right when they tell the Melians, "We act...knowing that you having our power would do the same"?
It would be great if those with power always used it the way they should but the fact is humans are flawed and we have proven many times we are incapable of always being fair. We can not be naive and simply assume those with power will not abuse that power and therefore power must be limited or restricted. We have to have a form of protection like checks and balances otherwise we will not be able to protect out way of life. The athenians should have had restraints over their power and what they did to the Melians is a perfect example of why we need to have restraints on power.
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