Fascism: Abuse of Privilege and Power

Fascism: Abuse of Privilege and Power

I. intro - The abuse and corruption of power.

A. context-Abuse of power

1. within society there is always elected officials throughout history, this is a constant within the human and animal world.

2. This power can be abused.

B. Focus-Some elected officials can abuse this power

In the George Orwell book Animal Farm, corruption of leadership is shown when the pig Napoleon turns his role as farm leader into dictator.

C. A hunger for power and money leads to corruption and the abuse of power

II. Body-Examples of power abuse within our society

A. nonfiction-The Jonestown massacre

1. Corrupt leaders in society can “brainwash” their followers

a) Mass suicide

(1) The Jonestown massacre that took place in Guyana

(2) it was evident that the people were "brainwashed"

(3) The constant re-occurrence of elected officials

2. What causes us to pass off our responsibilities to others?

I) The lack of want for responsibility

s) Religious and political leaders

c) Maybe they are more qualified?

t) Is it just our fault for electing bad leaders?

3. it’s nobody’s fault that these leaders have become corrupt.

i) Corruption is usually a product of greed.

s) High-up officials take their power and abuse it because of their greed and disregard for others.

c) This is shown in almost every case of this by

t) These cases are shown and shape our history

B. Fiction

i) A true example of fascism and power abuse is shown in the book Animal Farm

s) In Animal Farm Napoleon abuses his power as leader and corrupts his fellow pigs

c) This leads to a downfall in the farm

t) This relates to modern day dictatorships

C. Contemporary

i) In Iraq, Saddam Hussein abused his power and ruined his country for his citizens.

s) This required a call to action by the world to remove him and his regime.

c) This led to the downfall of the Iraqi nation because of his fierce totalitarianism

t) This is the proof that there is a problem of power abuse in the world

III. Conclusion

A. There is a problem with some highly trusted, elected officials in our society

B. Summary of evidence

1. nonfiction- There is people/leaders in this world with enough greed and self-absorption that will ruin things for everyone as long as it makes their own life better.

a) RE- The fascist dictatorships caused by a thirst for power and money are what have caused many downfalls in civilization.

b) RC- These cases are perfect examples of what the abuse of power and greed can do.

1. literary- The abuse shown in Animal Farm

a) RE- Snowball gains trust among the fellow farm animals and then turns on them with his lust for power.

b) RC- This in turn ruins things for his fellow farm animals.