- Scientists in Switzerland asked volunteers to play the 'dictator game'
- In the game, people were given complete control over deciding pay
- They had choice of awarding less to group but more to themselves
- People rated as less honest at first exhibited more corrupt behaviour
- But, over time, those who scored high on honesty also behaved badly
Historian Baron John Acton famously declared that 'power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.'
Now,
more than a century after Acton's accusation, scientists have shown
that even the most noble lose sight of their values when handed the
right to govern.
more than a century after Acton's accusation, scientists have shown
that even the most noble lose sight of their values when handed the
right to govern.
A
series of experiments found that once honest people had tasted power,
they couldn't resist rewarding themselves at the expense of others.
series of experiments found that once honest people had tasted power,
they couldn't resist rewarding themselves at the expense of others.
