The Measure of Power

TimeWatch Editorial
November 6, 2015

Forbes magazine is known for its constant analysis of the richest, the powerful, the whatever. There has not always been a clearly defined criterion that allows them to arrive at their conclusions, but I would imagine, their objective is never really intended to inspire morality and or character, and I do think that there is nothing really wrong with that. Taking a snapshot in time is rarely the best way to arrive at a true picture of circumstances, since the richest man given a few more months might, on his way down, exchange places with the second richest on his way up. There is, however, nothing wrong with the snapshot, since one will never be able to truly predict the perfect moment.

What really did catch my attention this time, is the Forbes article entitled: The World’s Most Powerful People 2015, published November 4, 2015, David M. Ewalt , Contributor.

The number one choice did not surprise or necessarily disturb me, since my measure of the world is not necessarily influenced by the urgings of others. I have learned that sometimes, the truly homeless are those who have the most. This is demonstrated so frequently by the overreaching of those who measure themselves based upon their wealth or their political power or influence or simply their academic achievement or some other comparative excess.

In 2014, Forbes gave its criterion on November 5, in the article: Putin vs. Obama: The World's Most Powerful People 2014

“This is not a lineup of the most influential or an anointing of the new establishment. It is an evaluation of hard power. We insist the people on our list wield the kind of power that shapes and bends the world, and moves people, markets, armies and minds.”

Back then, Vladimir Putin was chosen, and the choice was described this way:

“So who’s more powerful: the omnipotent head of a feisty former superpower or the handcuffed head of the most dominant country in the world?”

“Omnipotent?” maybe a little dramatic! but okay. “Feisty?” A harmless enough description! Just one year later, this year the description of the most powerful man on the planet changes:

“Russian President Vladimir Putin emerged as the world’s most powerful person for the third year running. Putin continues to prove he’s one of the few men in the world powerful enough to do what he wants –and get away with it. International sanctions set in place after he seized Crimea and waged war-by-proxy in Ukraine have kneecapped the Ruble and driven Russia into deepening recession, but haven’t hurt Putin one bit: In June his approval ratings reached an all-time high of 89%. In October, he bombed ISIS forces in Syria and then met face-to-face with President Assad, making the U.S and NATO look weak in the region, and helping rebuild Russian influence abroad.”

Maybe my ancient sensitivities are showing here, but do we really want to teach our children that true power is the ability to do anything you want and get away with it? Should we not then have allowed and admired the atrocities of the Third Reich instead of standing up to it at great expense in lives and treasure? Can we be surprised then, at the vicious, heartlessness of the society in which we live, when so called intelligent and obviously irresponsible influences set a standard that is the exact opposite of the standards of character that we should be embracing? No wonder we find ourselves victims of those who, because their lives have been fraught with disappointment and distress, find solace in the notoriety of mass murders. No wonder we see majorities drawn to the rudeness of those who seek high office. No wonder the excuse of insanity must be offered up to cover the behaviors of those who have learned at the feet of those who should have known better themselves but who are no more insane than their children, simply ill trained and ill advised.

Perhaps another measure of power should be found, one which we could teach our children and our children’s children, before it is eternally too late.

Cameron A. Bowen