abuse of authority essay

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Authority and its abuse.

Sadly, it’s not uncommon for those in authority to abuse their authority. For example, consider these various examples:

From an 2013 article about bad bosses in The Washingtonian :

A guy at my old company used to make his employees ask before they could use the restroom—and he would time them. If they were gone longer than five minutes, he would add the time up at the end of the week and make them use vacation time. He made anyone late to a meeting stand in the corner for the entire time, and he had others who said anything particularly ‘stupid’ stand on their chair or the table.”

From Randi Kreger’s book Stop Walking On Eggshells: Taking Your Life Back When Someone You Care About Has Borderline Personality :

My dad used fear, guilt, intimidation, blaming, and manipulation to control my whole family. He’s poisonous—the kind of person who has you doubting your own perceptions and beliefs. Life with him was a rollercoaster—up and down, for years and years. He’d rage and snarl one minute, and then apologize the next, and expect you to forget all about it. The constant instability and insecurity eventually rendered me completely numb. He refuses to take responsibility for his behavior, and acts like any rift in our relationship is my fault. I am trying to forgive him.

Or this, from the Department of Justice Report on Baltimore Police Department :

We find reasonable cause to believe that BPD engages in a pattern or practice of discriminatory policing against African Americans. Statistical evidence shows that the Department intrudes disproportionately upon the lives of African Americans at every stage of its enforcement activities. BPD officers disproportionately stop African Americans; search them more frequently during these stops; and arrest them at rates that significantly exceed relevant benchmarks for criminal activity. African Americans are likewise subjected more often to false arrests. Indeed, for each misdemeanor street offense that we examined, local prosecutors and booking officials dismissed a higher proportion of African-American arrests upon initial review compared to arrests of people from other racial backgrounds. BPD officers also disproportionately use force—including constitutionally excessive force—against African-American subjects. Nearly 90 percent of the excessive force incidents identified by the Justice Department review involve force used against African Americans.

What these stories have in common is their consistent example of abusive authority. And when it happens, the results are often devastating. Devastating for a workplace, devastating for a family, devastating for an entire community of people. The greater the degree of authority, the greater the pain inflicted when it is abused.

If it’s devastating in the world, how much more so in the church of Jesus Christ?

DEFINING AUTHORITY

Human authority is a delegated power to make decisions and bring laws of some type to bear on the one under authority. And the Bible makes it clear that this is a good thing. Romans 13:1 says, “For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” In that context, it’s speaking about the governing authorities, but it’s true of all authority. There is no authority except from God.

Remember the conversation between Jesus and Pontius Pilate in John 19? So Pilate said to him, “You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?” But Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above.”

Authority is good, because when used properly, it is a reflection of the power, wisdom, and love of God.

THE AUTHORITY OF JESUS

Abusive authority is the improper use of authority. Like all sin, it’s a distortion. It takes something good and God-ordained and uses it improperly. So, in order to understand the bad version, let’s think about what the good version is. And to see the good version, as one would predict, all we have to do is look at Jesus, because he is the epitome of everything good, and that includes authority.

This couldn’t be clearer when we arrive at a passage like John 10:1–11:

“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

In this passage, which comes on the heels of Jesus healing the man born blind, the Lord Jesus describes himself as the “good shepherd.” The shepherd/sheep imagery is rich in its Old Testament background and is a picture of how God relates to his people.

In Jesus’s culture, it would have been an obvious picture of authority. The shepherd has authority over the sheep. The shepherd decides where the sheep goes, when it’s time for the sheep to come in from the field. He feeds the sheep, cares for the sheep, corrects the sheep when they’re off. He clearly calls the shots. He has authority over the sheep.

But here’s where it gets surprising. Jesus uses his authority, not to hurt the sheep or take advantage and abuse the sheep. He uses his authority to bless the sheep. In this way, the authority of Jesus is protective, loving, and sacrificial.

Notice the end of verse 3: he “leads them out.” Notice also the middle of verse 4: “he goes before them.” The shepherd is in front so any predator, if they want to get to the sheep, have to get past him first. He uses his authority to protect.

Jesus calls his own sheep by name (10:3). It’s personal. He’s not just taking care of a mass of worthless sheep, simply there to serve his purposes and meet his needs. Instead, he knows them and calls them each individually by name.

Sacrificial

In verse 11, Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” This is shocking. While sheep certainly had value in that culture, the value of the sheep was nothing compared to the value of the shepherd. The shepherd would not be expected to endanger himself for the sheep, let alone die for them.

But that’s exactly what Jesus does. The purpose of authority is for the good, the blessedness, and the flourishing of the one under authority. And that’s exactly what Jesus says he uses his authority to accomplish in verse 9: “If anyone enters by me, he will be saved.”

Saved from what? Saved from the wrath of God. That’s what we deserve because of our sin. And we’re all guilty. We all like sheep have gone astray. Each of us has turned to his own way. And the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. So Jesus, through his death and resurrection, secures our greatest good, our most significant blessedness, the highest possible degree of flourishing imaginable. He saved us. Jesus used his power and authority to save us.

Jesus is contrasting himself with both the leaders of his day and the bad shepherds from the past. As Jesus makes this contrast, it would have drawn the minds of his listeners back to texts like Ezekiel 34.

ISRAEL’S ABUSIVE SHEPHERDS  

Here’s what Ezekiel says in Ezekiel 34:1–10:

The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy, and say to them, even to the shepherds, Thus says the Lord God: Ah, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep? You eat the fat, you clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fat ones, but you do not feed the sheep. The weak you have not strengthened, the sick you have not healed, the injured you have not bound up, the strayed you have not brought back, the lost you have not sought, and with force and harshness you have ruled them. So they were scattered, because there was no shepherd, and they became food for all the wild beasts. My sheep were scattered; they wandered over all the mountains and on every high hill. My sheep were scattered over all the face of the earth, with none to search or seek for them. Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: As I live, declares the Lord God, surely because my sheep have become a prey, and my sheep have become food for all the wild beasts, since there was no shepherd, and because my shepherds have not searched for my sheep, but the shepherds have fed themselves, and have not fed my sheep, therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: Thus says the Lord God, Behold, I am against the shepherds, (I can’t imagine anything worse that can be said. But that is exactly what God says to those who abuse and I will require my sheep at their hand and put a stop to their feeding the sheep. No longer shall the shepherds feed themselves. I will rescue my sheep from their mouths, that they may not be food for them.”

Jesus, as the good shepherd, is the fulfillment of what’s being prophesied here. But notice the specific critiques of Israel’s shepherds that all fit into what Jesus says about the thieves and robbers in John 10.

God’s critique of Israel’s shepherds is communicated in the following ten ways:

• They feed themselves and not the sheep. (34:2)
• They eat the fat. (34:3)
• They clothe themselves with wool. (34:3)
• They slaughter the fat ones. (34:3)

In other words, just like the thieves and robbers Jesus mentions in John 10, these shepherds are stealing from the sheep for their own shameful gain. But there’s more:

• They have not strengthened the weak. (34:4)
• They have not healed the sick. (34:4)
• They have not bound up the injured. (34:4)
• They have not brought back the straying. (34:4)
• They have not sought the lost. (34:4)
• They have ruled with force and harshness. (34:4)

In other words, just like the thief and robber, these shepherds kill and destroy the sheep through their negligence.

Notice the abuse of authority in this passage isn’t so much seen in how they treated the strong, but how they treated the weak, the sick, the injured, the straying, the lost (34:4). They saw the weak not as precious souls in God’s sight in need of strengthening, but as annoyances. They saw the sick, not as chosen and beloved, but as an inconvenience. They saw the injured as in the way and slowing down the ministry. They saw the straying, as not worth the time to pursue. They saw the lost as hopeless. They abused the sheep because they didn’t have eyes to see the sheep as God saw them.

PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS

Unfortunately, this is far too often the case today. The apostle Peter, in giving instruction to under-shepherds, picks up on some of these themes in 1 Peter 5:1–5:

So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

My assumption is none of you want to abuse the authority given to you by God. And my guess is that those who have given in to the temptation to be abusive in their exercise of authority didn’t go into ministry with the goal of being an abusive pastor. My guess is, like most sin, it happened gradually and subtly. Hebrews 3:13 talks about the “deceitfulness of sin” for a reason.

Looking at 1 Peter 5:2, do you notice whose flock it is? It’s God’s flock. Not your flock. It’s God’s. They’re God’s sheep. And notice where they are: “among you.” Not beneath you. What this verse most certainly does not say is, “Subdue your own flock that is under you.”

And yet, so much of pastoring today looks like that. But we must ask Peter, how do we do this? How do we shepherd the flock of God that’s among us? He tells us how.

First, he says, “exercise oversight.” There’s the authority—power delegated by God. The meaning of “authority” there is important: “to look intently with the aim of caring for the one looked upon.” That aim is also important: to care for the one under authority. Then he gives instructions in three pairs, each one stated negatively and then positively. Each of these is meant to help pastors, to help us avoid abusing authority.

Not under compulsion, but willingly —  (Pride)

This gets at our motives. It causes us to search our hearts and ask ourselves, Why are we in ministry? That’s a good question to ask. Why are you in ministry? Or why do you desire to go into ministry? This is an important question, because we all know the right answers. For the glory of God. The spread the gospel. To help and serve people. Those are right, biblical answers. But having the right answer isn’t enough. I’m sure all those in our circles who have given into the sin of abusing their authority all had the right answer.

People enter the ministry for all kinds of reasons. Here are some bad ones.

1. The desire for power

Some people crave power. They like the idea of being the boss, of being in charge. They like people having to do what they say. It might be because they felt powerless as a child, and now they have an opportunity to exert the power they always desired but never had.

2. The desire for affirmation

Some people, more than anything else, just want to be affirmed. This is the person who craves compliments and lives on applause. It feels good to be affirmed, and for this person, they get an opportunity every week to be told they’re doing a great job. Of course, for many, this backfires when they get called to a congregation that criticizes more than affirms; these brothers often get crushed under the burden of criticism.

3. The desire for respect

There’s a respect that comes from the office. I once heard about a guy who insisted that the congregation not call him by his first name but call him by his title.

I can’t help but wonder if that guy ever read Matthew 23: “But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers. And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ.”

Nothing’s wrong with being rabbi, teacher, or instructor. But there is something very wrong with glorying in it. Because glorying in it is a manifestation of pride. That’s why Jesus immediately says: “The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

4. The desire for a “platform”

This is why big conferences can be dangerous. Because no matter how careful the organizers are, it can reinforce the false notion that the most faithful pastors are the pastors with the biggest ministries and the most pronounced gifts. It’s sadly ironic, but the reality is that the bigger the “platform,” the more challenging it will become to be among the flock and shepherd well. For some reason we’ve separated preaching from shepherding. That was never meant to be because they go hand in hand. I love what Anthony Carter says about why he doesn’t speak at more conferences: “God hasn’t called me to shepherd the world, but the flock.”

Not for shameful gain, but eagerly — (Greed)

This was explicitly stated in Ezekiel 34 and implied by Jesus in John 10 when he said thieves and robbers steal. The warning against greed is a constant warning in Scripture. There’s going to be a temptation to use the church’s money for our own sinful ends. This is why financial accountability is so important—two signers for every check.

Not domineering, but being examples to the flock – (Power)

Here are a few ways to be domineering

• to not listen
• to retaliate when criticized. I know of one person, whenever he was criticized would sit people down from ministry
• using the Word to make your point rather than making your points from the Word
• by equating your suggestions with the Bible and binding people’s consciences
• to command obedience where the Word does not command it.

That’s how to rule harshly.

Brothers, we must realize pride is at the root of every abuse of authority—in the home, in the workplace, in the church, everywhere. We must also realize humility is the key to avoiding it. Surely this is Peter’s point in 1 Peter 5:5—“Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’”

To be sure, many will mistake the use of authority for its abuse. In those moments:

• show a deep and genuine humility by listening to how your actions might have been perceived, even wrongly perceived
• lean on your fellow elders
• teach congregationalism as an insurance against authoritarian leadership
• truly live among your people through regular visits and conversation that yield a general awareness of their spiritual well-being.

There’s more to say on this subject, but I’ll leave you with my own exhortation fueled by the words of Peter: “So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed . . . use your authority to empower others.”

Editor’s note: This article is an edited version of Shai’s talk from First Five Years 2016 .

Shai Linne is a Christian hip-hop artist and author. His latest book, The New Reformation: Finding Hope in the Fight for Ethnic Unity was released in May 2021. Shai is a member at Risen Christ Fellowship in Philadelphia, PA. He is married to Blair and they have three beautiful children. You can find him on Twitter at @ShaiLinne .

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Carter`s Typology of Abuse of Authority Essay

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Introduction

Carter’s typology of abuse of authority.

The police institution has often been accused of abuse of police authority on the citizens. In the ideal, the police institution is expected to develop a good rapport with citizens based on trust, humane actions, and respect of human rights. However, Carter identifies several instances where the abuse of police authority has been reported. Thus, this reflective treatise attempts to explicitly review Carter’s typology of abuse of police authority. Among the identified typology of abuse of authority includes excessive force, psychological/verbal abuse, and violation of the rights of citizens.

Carter is critical and objective in analyzing type of abuse of authority that some police officers are guilty of. The first typology identified is the use of excessive force or physical abuse of the citizen when making an arrest. Although the policing policy allows for use of minimal force when arresting a resisting citizen, some police officers take advantage of this to torture citizens and cause major bodily harm or even death. Several instances have been reported when police officers deliberately kill unarmed citizen and justify the same on protection of their life (Peak, 2009). Though the U.S Supreme Court has reaffirmed the fact that using bullets on nonviolent and unarmed suspect is against the Fourth Amendment, Carter states that some rogue officers continue with this practice. The perpetrating officers of illegal shooting hide in the police authority (Beggs & Davies, 2009).

Carter discusses the psychological and verbal abuse that some officers inflict on the public in their line of duty. These officers deliberately antagonize the public while hiding in their oversight authority. For instance, use of profane language on the citizen is classified by Carter as psychological game aimed at insulting, degrading and imposing unjust authority of their ‘subjects’. The use of profanity has several effects on the victim. To begin with, it may lead to polarization of a very minor issue and result in lost confidence in police as an independent third party in a conflict (Peak, 2009). Besides, the profane language is likely to cause psychological harm to the victim or their family. In addition, profane language among some police officers has led to irrational actions taken by the public as a coping mechanism to protect the self esteem (Beggs & Davies, 2009). However, Carter identifies response strategies for minimizing profanity among the police force through scrutiny of profanity complains and police leadership banning its use in the public.

The third typology of police authority abuse identified by Carter is a violation of the rights of the citizens and legal process abuse. This typology occurs when some police officers interferes with the justice system through falsified arrests, harassment and false imprisonment. For instance, a deliberate and illegal private property search, evidence implantation, and falsified testimony may distort the course of justice for an innocent victim (Peak, 2009). Besides, hustling the public or business executives for information and monetary gains is another typology of policy authority abuse. Carter is categorical in identifying the role of supervisors in minimizing such incidences. The police supervisors should be objective and rational in micro managing junior police officers to ensure that all arrests fall within the probable course standards of the police institution (Beggs & Davies, 2009). Also, there should be standardized criteria for making arrests.

Conclusively, Carter identifies several instances of abuse of police authority and classifies these instances into psychological, physical, and legal abuse. Reflectively, Carter recommends standardized criteria of service delivery to minimize such incidences among the rogue officers.

Beggs, J. & Davies, H. (2009). Police Misconduct, Complaints, and Public Regulation . Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Peak, K. (2009). Justice Administration: Police, Courts, and Corrections Management. Alabama: Prentice Hall.

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IvyPanda. (2022, May 15). Carter`s Typology of Abuse of Authority. https://ivypanda.com/essays/carters-typology-of-abuse-of-authority/

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IvyPanda . 2022. "Carter`s Typology of Abuse of Authority." May 15, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/carters-typology-of-abuse-of-authority/.

1. IvyPanda . "Carter`s Typology of Abuse of Authority." May 15, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/carters-typology-of-abuse-of-authority/.

Bibliography

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This article is the second in a series covering attacks on the rule of law. The rule of law is a political philosophy premised on the promise that all citizens, leaders, and institutions are accountable to the same laws, guaranteed through processes, practices, and norms that work together to support the equality of all citizens before the law. This series argues that regressive governance is increasing around the world, including in putatively democratic countries, quashing human rights through strategic actions designed to undermine the rule of law.

A simple definition of abuse of power is the misuse of a position of authority to take advantage of another person or organization. When the abuser is a government actor or system, it denotes a power dynamic in which a government official or agency uses their authority for personal gain — such as by undermining the power of those in opposition — expecting that the rule of law will not apply to them because they will be able to control or manipulate the legal system.

Indicators of rising fascism are a useful metric for considering government abuses of power, as fascism is associated with government oppression of opposition. These indicators include nationalism, disdain for human rights, othering and scapegoating, racism, sexism, captured media, corruption, and election fraud. Regressive leaders have often utilized the foregoing as tools of oppression to undermine the rule of law and amass their own power. The British Parliament invented impeachment in 1376 as a legislative check against royal abuses of power, and the drafters of the US Constitution were clear that when the Constitution no longer served the people, they should be able to change it. In a healthy democracy, checks on abuses of power are found within the rule of law. In countries with an unstable rule of law, those in power have a tremendous capacity to strengthen their position and to entrench their ability to further abuse their power, sometimes with impunity.

For the past seven years, various branches of the US government have been acting outside the constraints of the rule of law, in many instances with impunity. The fewer the legal safeguards, the higher the likelihood of abuse of power and impunity. In the United States, the fewest legal constraints are imposed on legislators, who write and enforce their own governing rules, in branches of the Department of Homeland Security which have been granted more and sometimes extraconstitutional authority, and on law enforcement at all levels who have gained considerable immunity . Allowing government actors to amass this much power, without adequate legal checks, comes with a tremendous cost, one born predominantly by already marginalized people, and by human and civil rights advocates speaking out in support of them and against the abuse of power.

Exposing the Lack of Constraints

The most foundational legal cases in US law saw the judiciary responding to the potential for abuse of power by enshrining in law the separation of powers. These cases established a sense of reliance by detailing the checks and balances between political and legal systems: Presidents cannot make unsubstantiated national security assertions to justify expanding their own power , encroach on individual rights, or trespass on Congressional territory , for example; and the people can depend upon the judicial branch to enforce these constraints. But these legal challenges rely on the judiciary to be fair, impartial, unbiased, and just in checking that abuse of power.  The US is suffering a crisis of confidence in the judiciary with regard to its impartiality and sense of justice, particularly as applied to matters of human and civil rights.

Further, much of US governance has been carried out with a mere gloss of accountability, predicated on self-imposed ethical norms like fairness, impartiality, and avoiding the hypocritical application of the rules. Recent actions by every branch of government, at both federal and state levels, have exposed the truth — those norms are largely decimated, if they ever existed.  For example, the Senate can and did refuse for a full year to give the advice and consent to see a crucial Obama Supreme Court nomination move forward, even while pushing through another in the lame duck weeks before Trump left office. The Tennessee legislature can expel two legislators , both young and Black, allegedly for speaking out of turn, but fail to expel their white colleague. State actors in Texas and Florida can threaten elected officials who oppose laws they are pushing to pass and punish journalists who report it.

Ethical norms by which we believed our elected officials operated have not only been exposed as non-existent, but their absence exploited. For example, candidate Trump repeatedly promised to impose a Muslim ban, stereotyping practitioners of one religion as a national security threat, and then imposed such a ban within his first ten days in office. When the ban was challenged , the Court refused to consider those promises as evidence that the order was in fact intended as a ban on Muslims.  Once in office, Trump regularly disparaged marginalized groups, fomented discord, made barely veiled threats, and encouraged vigilantism. His political style centered on ignoring ethical norms, public ridicule and discrimination, abuse of power, and encouraging vigilantism to foster these agendas . Other government officials in the US and internationally observed the impunity and lack of negative consequences and acted accordingly.

Rules like those under which the Supreme Court, the Executive, Congress, and state legislatures operate have been exposed as not only flimsy and honor codes not respected; they also often racist, sexist, antiquated, and selectively applied. Like Pandora’s box, once bad actions are unleashed with few negative consequences, others take note.  Furthermore, the people hired under Trump, including thousands of judges and law enforcement, remain in office. In post-conflict countries, neoliberal organizations typically dictate that countries wishing to join international alliances must vet their corrupt state actors through a process called lustration . This process reveals which employees paid by the state are too corrupt, too loyal to prior rights-violating regimes, or too biased to remain in office. In the United States, we have no such mechanism.

Attacks on Human Rights Defenders

The most pernicious abuses of power playing out in the US and in several countries around the world involve criminalizing human rights defenders.  These laws attempt to reach human rights lawyers, advocates, and those who inform vulnerable populations about the law. This series will address government animosity towards marginalized populations in separate articles. The attacks on their advocates and supporters, and on those who use the legal system to protest abuse of power have their own deeply regressive purpose, designed to decimate particular rule of law norms, and are thus addressed separately.

No one is more dangerous to regressive rulers than human rights advocates and those who share knowledge (teachers) and information (journalists) with others. In the past seven years, these groups have been increasingly harassed, and their work criminalized . It should come as no surprise that the focus of regressive governments has been those who focus on immigration , race , gender , marginalized people , and regressive governance . In 2017, immigrant rights advocates in the US began reporting regularly being stopped, held, and threatened by border agents at ports of entry and in transit to the US. This harassment was reported to the UN and verified by six UN Special Rapporteurs who requested, but never received, a response from the US government. Immigration lawyers were threatened with malicious prosecution, including those who merely reported updates on procedural changes that were quietly implemented during the Trump administration.  For example, DHS agents issued a fake subpoena to an immigration lawyer, citing inapplicable law as their authority to arrest him.  His countersuit took him and those supporting him away from assisting immigrants.

Interpol flags and federal human trafficking laws have also been used to threaten and harass immigrant advocates, most of whom are women . US Customs and Border Patrol operate under a “ constitution free zone” premise , endorsed by the Supreme Court, which they believe grants them the discretion not only to profile people, based on race, nationality, and gender, but to broadly construe “national security” to justify everything from cavity searches of women, to killing individuals when shooting across the border, confiscating electronic devices and copying the information they contain. Despite their regular extra-constitutional activity, CBP was granted more discretion , even across US border s, and given a larger budget, with less oversight.

Harassment of advocates serves to chill advocacy, deterring them from engaging in the amount of work necessary to represent the vastly underrepresented immigrant population.  This yields a significantly lower likelihood of migrants reaching or achieving status in the US, which pleases nativists.  It also chills the impact of litigation undertaken by the same individuals who would be in a position to challenge regressive laws and policies in court. In short, the legal challenges to regressive governance diminish, drastically, as human rights advocates burn out from years of harassment. That this is the intent is evidenced by public statements like those made by then-Attorney General Sessions who used the occasion of a national speech to call private immigration attorneys “dirty” and unethical .

A case to watch is US v Hansen , which immigrant rights advocates fear will open the door further to the prosecution of immigration lawyers for merely doing their jobs. This law allows prosecution of those “encouraging” undocumented persons to remain in the US. The problem is that Congress has created multiple pathways for the undocumented to not only lawfully remain in the US but to ultimately become citizens. Lawyers failing to inform their clients of these legal pathways would be committing malpractice, yet now they could also be prosecuted for doing their job. The double bind is intentional.

The US is not alone in placing migrant advocates in a double bind. Conservative leaders in Hungary criminalized providing assistance to asylum seekers . Conservative leaders in Italy and Greece have prosecuted immigrant rights advocates, even those honoring their own professional legal obligations, like ship captains who are required to respond to ships in distress. The US has long criticized criminalizing and harassing human rights defenders, even calling this action a threat to democracy , yet is hypocritically doing the same.

Prior Restraint and Civil Society

The concept of prior restraint is deeply significant in US law and was abhorrent to the drafters of the US constitution who understood that democracy depends on an informed and educated public. In the past hundred years, the US has increasingly relied on civil society to carry out work the government would undertake before neoliberals convinced us to privatize and defund virtually all public assistance, often castigating it as “socialist” and not aligned with “free market values”. When regressive governments make it clear that human rights advocacy comes at a possible cost of prosecution, civil society and pro bono advocates engage in less frequent and more cautious advocacy. These same individuals are among those with the skill and fortitude to bring legal challenges against regressive governance, so when regressive governments succeed in chilling their human rights advocacy, the only remaining constraints on abuse of power cease to exist.

Regressive governments are attempting to chill human rights advocacy at an accelerated rate through threats of prosecution. The UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders has confirmed that migrant rights defenders are regularly targeted for reprisal, and has reported that those defending LGBTQI rights have increasingly been targeted for reprisal worldwide. In the US, states have criminalized assisting transgender minors , assisting or obtaining an abortion , and made teaching about racism, discrimination, and the existence of LGBTQI people a fireable offense . Meanwhile, conservative state legislators and executives have censured or removed from office other elected officials who object to regressive political machinations.

Protest is one of the few ways in which those who are oppressed can take back power from their oppressors. Increasingly, law enforcement, border patrol and morality policing agencies around the world are using surveillance equipment to police their opposition . After facing worldwide condemnation for arresting women violating morality codes, Iran shifted to using surveillance cameras to police dress, dissent, and demeanor . China has been using phones to track protestors. Almost every government in the world engaging in regressive politics, repression of human rights, and undermining the rule of law has been credibly linked to the use of new technologies to surveil their opposition.

The tools of regressive governance are pernicious and incredibly effective at chilling human rights advocacy by increasing fear and uncertainty amongst those who would fight for human and civil rights. The rights to express grievances, to call out corruption and discrimination, and to fight government abuse of power, are enshrined in the US Constitution and international law. The right of the people to vote for their representatives and change their government when it represses them is a defining feature of democracy. Punishing people who fight for those rights is one of the most insidious and pervasive tools utilized by regressive governments to undermine the rule of law. Failing to attend to these corrupted systems, marinating in abuse of power, corruption and self-dealing, bias, racism, nativism, and patriarchal values is democracy destroying.

Dina Francesca Haynes is Professor of Law at New England Law | Boston, where she teaches immigration, refugee and asylum law, human trafficking and constitutional law. She has also taught at Georgetown University Law Center and American University’s Washington College of Law. She has worked in a multitude of countries for the UN and other international organizations.

As noted above, this is the second in a series of articles entitled Rule of Law Chronicles. The first article, Rule of Law Chronicles: America’s Shadow Theocrats, can be found here .

Opinions expressed in JURIST Features are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of JURIST’s editors, staff, donors or the University of Pittsburgh.

Treaty of Fort Pitt signed between US and Lenape Nation

The newly independent United States and the Lenape Nation signed a treaty of alliance called the Treaty of Fort Pitt on September 17, 1778. The treaty aimed to unite both parties in a fight against the British who still claimed the 13 American colonies. However, the treaty would not last as its terms were subsequently violated by the US, including the establishment of a 14th state for Native Americans. Learn more about the Treaty of Fort Pitt and the history of the Lenape (Delaware) people.

US Constitution adopted by delegates in Philadelphia

On September 17, 1787, the United States Constitution was adopted by the 39 delegates to the federal Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. Learn more about the Constitution from the National Constitution Center.

Saudi Arabia and USSR reopen diplomatic ties

On September 17, 1990, Saudi Arabia and the Soviet Union reopened diplomatic ties.

Abuse of Power

A cherished belief runs deep in our psyches: A belief in the compassion of teachers whose heroic efforts transform the lives of students. There is truth in the narratives that support this view, but there is also a darker side to this mythos. In a small minority of teachers, an ugly undercurrent of mean-spirited and disdainful conduct toward students also exists. This conduct constitutes a corruption of the role of educator and does enormous damage to students, colleagues and the public’s faith in schools.

My personal interest in the phenomenon of teachers who bully has its roots in childhood experiences with a few teachers and coaches who waged a daily reign of terror over students. As an expert in school violence, my professional interest originated years ago while doing teacher in-service training on bullying. While—like most trainers on bullying—I focused on abusive behavior among students, I also raised concerns about the conduct of adults. This usually produced a hush in the audience, followed by requests to speak with me privately. Teachers and administrators revealed demoralizing experiences of a colleague’s cruel behavior toward students. The common denominator in these narratives was a sense of powerlessness and the conclusion that little was being done or could be done to mitigate the problem. 

I define teacher bullying as a pattern of conduct, rooted in a power differential, that threatens, harms, humiliates, induces fear in or causes students substantial emotional stress. In determining whether teacher conduct crosses a line into bullying, a “reasonable person” standard applies. Quite simply, others render an informed judgment that the teacher’s actions toward students are neither legitimate nor reasonable professional conduct.

In order to address the phenomenon of teachers who bully students, the education profession needs to grapple with several inconvenient truths. In general, bullying by educators is:

• Rationalized by offenders.
• Normalized by students.
• Minimized or ignored by colleagues who remain silent.
• Enabled by inaction of school systems.
• Undetected by outsiders.

Bullying fundamentally disrupts the trust and nurturing relationships necessary to achieve any school’s mission. Most observers within and outside education would agree that fair and civil treatment of students is—or at least should be—embedded in the ecology of academic work. However, the opposite is true: The problem of educator-student bullying is compounded by a general absence of school policies and procedures written to handle allegations of abusive conduct. 

Efforts to reduce peer-on-peer bullying have taken on the momentum of a significant reform movement in education. At present, 49 states have passed laws intended to address bullying; most include policy guidelines for schools. A huge volume of resources and training programs has also emerged as a lucrative cottage industry in marketing “bully-proof” curricula. Conspicuously absent from this literature, however, is an emphasis on how to address abuses of power by educators toward the students they serve.

To date, there are no national studies on patterns of bullying by educators, and only a few limited studies exist that begin to document the phenomenon. In a 2014 publication titled Bullying Surveillance Among Youths, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention acknowledges that its report “excludes abuse perpetrated by adults against children or youths.” Perhaps this absence reflects the politically sensitive nature of implicating educators at all during a time when the profession at large faces myriad accountability challenges.

Several generalizations can be made regarding the patterns surrounding bullying behavior in teachers. 

• Bullying behavior often involves the public humiliation of targets.
• There is typically a high degree of agreement among students (and colleagues) on which teachers engage in bullying behavior.
• Teachers often bully in their own classrooms, where students witness the behavior but other teachers don’t. 
• Teachers are perceived to bully with impunity; they are seldom held accountable for their conduct.
• Schools generally lack a means of redress for students (or their parents) who register complaints against a teacher who has been perceived to bully.

When students are targeted by teachers, they often feel shamed and powerless. In many cases, they become unable to establish positive relationships within school. Teacher bullying can also have a contagion effect, indicating to students that the bullying of a particular individual is acceptable and making the individual vulnerable to more abuse. 

Perhaps the most distressing aspect of bullying behavior in teachers is how easily it persists. Colleagues may know about the behavior through rumors or persistent complaints, but think there is nothing they can do. School officials may have reason to believe it is occurring, yet fail to act. Almost without exception, offending teachers mask their mistreatment of students as part of a legitimate role function, using the rhetoric of “motivation” or “discipline” to justify their actions. If accused, offenders may minimize or deny the conduct and claim it was a joke or a miscommunication. Ignoring the problem of teacher bullying compounds it by giving license to any educator who believes that he or she can act with impunity toward students. 

Inaction supports a discriminatory and hostile environment that undermines learning and teaching—and puts schools at legal risk. But the shroud of silence surrounding teachers who engage in toxic bullying behaviors is unlikely to persist. Several lawsuits have been filed, and more are on the horizon. 

I have served as an expert witness in a handful of cases centered on allegations of bullying by educators. In some instances, the school was seeking to dismiss a teacher or coach who engaged in a pattern of abuse that reached a crescendo of student and parent complaints. Often a high-profile incident became the proverbial last straw that could no longer be ignored. In other instances, the school itself had been named in a lawsuit because it had enabled abusive conduct through indifference to persistent complaints. 

School officials have a duty of care to protect students; their failure to act despite notification of a problem enhances liability (see sidebar). But schools can (and should!) reduce bullying by teachers and staff members. Recognizing this truth and being willing to take action are difficult but necessary first steps.

• Write or adjust bullying policies to explicitly address the conduct of both students and staff. Teacher conduct should also be identified in each school’s code of ethics. 
• Use in-service time to discuss appropriate and inappropriate teacher behavior, especially in the context of disciplining students. 
• Establish a means to address complaints about alleged bullying by a teacher. The right to redress—a process by which grievances can be heard and settled—is a basic civil right. 
• Track formal and informal complaints, including student comments on course evaluation forms. Allegations of bullying should be included in annual evaluations.
• Sanctions for bullying should not be limited to “counseling.” Attorney Alice Vachss   has developed a model school policy that includes a “Statement of Standards and Protections” to address abuses of educational authority. 

For every teacher who engages in this abuse of power, there are many more teachers who care deeply and try to mitigate the enormous damage this behavior inflicts upon our students—and our educational ideals. They should not bear this burden alone. Policies can help. Speaking up can pave the way. 

What Behaviors Increase School Liability?

• Demonstrating indifference to or lack of concern for persistent complaints about a teacher’s conduct.
• Claiming to have investigated allegations without providing credible evidence. (NOTE: An informal discussion with the alleged perpetrator does not constitute an investigation.) 
• Failing to follow policies and procedures when addressing allegations of teacher bullying.
• Claiming that there is no history of complaints against a teacher when documentation of such complaints exists.
• Silencing students or staff who register complaints with threats of retaliation, or taking no action against staff members who are known to have made such threats. 
• Ignoring targeting of students based on race, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, disability, religion, nationality or any other immutable characteristic.

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Abuse of Authority Essay

Abuse of authority is a pervasive issue that spans across various domains of society, from governmental institutions to corporate settings and even within interpersonal relationships. It occurs when individuals in positions of power misuse their authority for personal gain, to manipulate others, or to exert control beyond what is justifiable or necessary. This misuse of power can have detrimental effects on those subjected to it, leading to feelings of helplessness, resentment, and in extreme cases, trauma.

One of the primary consequences of abuse of authority is the erosion of trust within institutions and relationships. When individuals entrusted with authority exploit their power, it undermines the credibility and integrity of the systems they represent. In governmental contexts, abuse of authority can lead to a loss of faith in democratic processes and institutions, fueling public disillusionment and apathy. Similarly, in organizational settings, employees may become disengaged and demotivated if they perceive that their superiors are more concerned with asserting control than fostering a collaborative and supportive work environment.

Moreover, abuse of authority can perpetuate systemic inequalities and injustices. Those who wield power unjustly may disproportionately target marginalized groups, further marginalizing them and perpetuating cycles of oppression. In law enforcement, for example, the abuse of authority can result in racial profiling, excessive use of force, and miscarriages of justice, disproportionately affecting minority communities. Similarly, within educational institutions, teachers and administrators may abuse their authority by discriminating against students based on factors such as race, gender, or socioeconomic status, perpetuating disparities in academic achievement and opportunities.

Addressing abuse of authority requires a multi-faceted approach that includes accountability mechanisms, education, and cultural change. Institutions must establish clear policies and procedures for reporting and investigating instances of abuse, ensuring that those who misuse their authority are held accountable for their actions. Additionally, education and training programs can raise awareness about the dynamics of power and promote ethical leadership practices. By fostering a culture of transparency, accountability, and respect for human rights, societies can mitigate the prevalence of abuse of authority and uphold principles of fairness and justice for all individuals.

In conclusion, abuse of authority represents a significant challenge to the integrity and stability of institutions and relationships. Its consequences extend beyond immediate harm to individuals, eroding trust, perpetuating inequalities, and undermining the foundations of democratic governance and social cohesion. By addressing abuse of authority through robust accountability mechanisms and a commitment to ethical leadership, societies can work towards creating environments where power is wielded responsibly and justly, fostering trust, equity, and respect for human dignity.

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Nicholas Sparks: The Author of Romance Nicholas Sparks is a household name when it comes to romance novels. With his heartfelt stories and captivating characters, he has cemented his place as one of the most beloved authors in the genre. Sparks' journey to success is as inspiring as his novels, filled with determination, passion, and a deep love for storytelling. Born on December 31, 1965, in Omaha, Nebraska, Nicholas Sparks discovered his love for writing at an early age. Despite facing numerous rejections in his pursuit of becoming a published author, Sparks never wavered in his dedication to his craft. It wasn't until 1996 that he achieved widespread recognition with the publication of his debut novel, "The Notebook." This poignant tale of enduring love captured the hearts of readers worldwide and solidified Sparks' reputation as a master storyteller. What sets Nicholas Sparks apart from other romance authors is his ability to create authentic and relatable characters. Whether it's the star-crossed lovers in "A Walk to Remember" or the troubled couple in "Safe Haven," Sparks' characters resonate with readers on a deeply emotional level. Through his vivid descriptions and nuanced portrayal of human relationships, Sparks brings his stories to life in a way that few authors can match. In addition to his talent for crafting compelling narratives, Nicholas Sparks is known for his poignant exploration of themes such as love, loss, and redemption. His novels often tackle complex issues faced by real people, adding depth and realism to his romantic tales. From the challenges of long-distance relationships to the healing power of forgiveness, Sparks' stories offer readers more than just escapism—they provide valuable insights into the human condition. Over the years, Nicholas Sparks has continued to enchant readers with his heartfelt novels, earning him a dedicated fanbase and numerous literary awards. His books have been adapted into blockbuster films, further cementing his status as a cultural phenomenon. Despite his immense success, Sparks remains humble and grounded, always prioritizing his passion for storytelling above all else. In conclusion, Nicholas Sparks is much more than just an author of romance novels—he is a master storyteller whose work has touched the hearts of millions around the world. Through his captivating stories, authentic characters, and exploration of universal themes, Sparks has earned his place as a literary icon in the realm of romance fiction....

Persuasive Essay On Animal Abuse

Animal abuse is a pervasive and deeply troubling issue that demands urgent attention and action. Every year, countless animals suffer at the hands of humans, enduring pain, neglect, and exploitation in various forms. From domestic pets to farm animals and wildlife, no creature is immune to the atrocities of abuse. It is imperative that society acknowledges the severity of this problem and takes decisive steps to address it. First and foremost, animal abuse is a moral issue that reflects our society's values and ethical principles. The mistreatment of animals not only inflicts unnecessary suffering but also speaks to a lack of compassion and empathy towards sentient beings that share our planet. As individuals and as a society, we have a moral obligation to protect the welfare of animals and ensure that they are treated with dignity and respect. Moreover, animal abuse is often indicative of underlying issues such as violence, aggression, and psychological disorders. Numerous studies have shown that individuals who engage in animal cruelty are more likely to commit acts of violence against humans as well. By addressing animal abuse and holding perpetrators accountable for their actions, we can help prevent further escalation of violence and promote a safer, more compassionate society for all beings. Furthermore, animal abuse has far-reaching consequences not only for the victims but also for the environment and public health. Factory farming, for example, involves the systematic mistreatment of animals on a massive scale, leading to environmental degradation, pollution, and the spread of zoonotic diseases. By advocating for more ethical and sustainable practices in industries that rely on animal exploitation, we can mitigate these negative impacts and work towards a more sustainable future. In conclusion, animal abuse is a grave injustice that cannot be ignored or tolerated. It is incumbent upon us as individuals and as a society to speak out against cruelty, support animal welfare initiatives, and enact legislation that protects the rights and well-being of animals. By standing up for those who cannot speak for themselves, we can create a world where animals are treated with the compassion and respect they deserve....

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Essay on Brain Development in Victims of Child Abuse

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Child Sexual Abuse Essay

Child sexual abuse is a profoundly disturbing and prevalent issue that affects individuals and communities worldwide. Defined as any sexual activity involving a child, whether initiated by the child or an adult, child sexual abuse encompasses a wide range of behaviors, including molestation, exploitation, and rape. The repercussions of such abuse can be devastating, leaving lasting emotional, psychological, and physical scars on survivors. One of the most alarming aspects of child sexual abuse is its prevalence across different cultures, socioeconomic backgrounds, and age groups. Research indicates that millions of children worldwide are victims of sexual abuse each year, with many cases going unreported or undetected due to shame, fear, or lack of awareness. Moreover, perpetrators of child sexual abuse can be anyone, including family members, trusted adults, or strangers, making it difficult to identify and prevent such incidents. The consequences of child sexual abuse can manifest in various ways, affecting survivors' mental health, relationships, and overall well-being. Many survivors experience feelings of guilt, shame, and self-blame, leading to low self-esteem and self-destructive behaviors. Additionally, survivors may struggle with trust issues, intimacy problems, and difficulties forming healthy relationships, impacting their ability to function in society and achieve their full potential. Furthermore, the long-term effects of child sexual abuse can extend into adulthood, leading to a range of mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and substance abuse. Survivors may also face physical health complications, such as chronic pain, sexually transmitted infections, and reproductive health issues, further exacerbating their trauma and distress. In conclusion, child sexual abuse is a pervasive and deeply troubling phenomenon that demands urgent attention and action from individuals, communities, and policymakers. By raising awareness, providing support services for survivors, and implementing preventive measures, we can work towards creating safer environments for children and ensuring that perpetrators are held accountable for their actions. Ultimately, it is crucial to prioritize the protection and well-being of children and to strive for a society where child sexual abuse is not tolerated or overlooked....

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The Problem Of Child Abuse Essay

Child abuse is a pervasive issue that affects millions of children worldwide, regardless of race, religion, or socioeconomic status. Defined as any action or inaction that causes harm to a child's physical, emotional, or psychological well-being, child abuse takes various forms, including physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect. Each form inflicts lasting trauma on its victims, often leading to profound long-term consequences. Physical abuse involves the intentional infliction of physical harm upon a child by a parent, caregiver, or authority figure. This can manifest through hitting, punching, kicking, or any other form of violence. The visible bruises and scars left by physical abuse may fade over time, but the emotional scars can endure for a lifetime, affecting the child's self-esteem, relationships, and mental health. Additionally, repeated physical abuse can lead to severe injuries or even death, making it a critical issue that demands urgent attention. Emotional abuse, although less visible than physical abuse, can be just as damaging to a child's well-being. It encompasses behaviors such as verbal assaults, humiliation, rejection, and isolation, which undermine a child's sense of self-worth and security. Emotional abuse can impair a child's ability to form healthy relationships, regulate their emotions, and cope with stress, predisposing them to mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Sexual abuse involves any form of sexual activity imposed on a child, including molestation, rape, and exploitation. It violates the child's trust and autonomy, leaving them feeling ashamed, confused, and powerless. Many victims of sexual abuse suffer in silence, fearing stigma, disbelief, or retaliation if they disclose their experiences. Consequently, the trauma of sexual abuse often goes unrecognized and untreated, perpetuating cycles of pain and suffering across generations. Neglect, perhaps the most insidious form of child abuse, occurs when a caregiver fails to provide for a child's basic needs, including food, shelter, clothing, education, and medical care. Neglected children are deprived of the love, support, and guidance essential for healthy development, leaving them vulnerable to physical illness, malnutrition, educational deficits, and social isolation. Neglect can erode a child's sense of trust and security, hindering their ability to form healthy attachments and navigate the world independently. In conclusion, child abuse represents a grave violation of children's rights and dignity, with far-reaching consequences for individuals, families, and society as a whole. Addressing this complex issue requires a multifaceted approach that prioritizes prevention, early intervention, and comprehensive support services for survivors. By raising awareness, fostering empathy, and holding perpetrators accountable, we can work together to create a world where every child is safe, valued, and cherished....

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Essay on Abuse Of Power

Students are often asked to write an essay on Abuse Of Power in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

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100 Words Essay on Abuse Of Power

Understanding power abuse.

Power abuse means when a person who has authority uses it in the wrong way. This can be a boss, a teacher, a police officer, or even a parent. They use their position to control or harm others. This is not fair or right.

Types of Power Abuse

There are many types of power abuse. Some people use their power to scare others. Some use it to get things they want, like money or favors. And some use it to hurt people, physically or emotionally. All these are forms of power abuse.

Effects of Power Abuse

Power abuse can hurt people in many ways. It can make them feel scared, sad, or angry. It can also make them feel powerless and lose their self-confidence. In some cases, it can even lead to physical harm.

Stopping Power Abuse

Stopping power abuse is not easy, but it is possible. People need to speak up when they see it happening. And those in power need to be held accountable for their actions. This means they should face consequences if they abuse their power.

Power Abuse and Society

250 words essay on abuse of power.

Power abuse is when someone in a position of authority uses their power wrongly. This can be in a school, a workplace, or even in a country. It happens when the person in charge uses their power to make others do things they don’t want to do or to get what they want without thinking about the effects on others.

There are many types of power abuse. One common type is bullying, where someone uses their power to hurt or scare others. Another type is corruption, where someone uses their power to gain money or goods unfairly. Discrimination is also a type of power abuse, where people are treated badly because of their race, gender, or other factors.

Power abuse can cause a lot of harm. It can make people feel scared, sad, or angry. It can also lead to people not trusting each other or the person in power. In extreme cases, power abuse can even lead to violence or war.

Preventing Power Abuse

To stop power abuse, we need to make sure that people in power are held accountable for their actions. This means that they should be punished if they abuse their power. We also need to educate people about power abuse so they can recognize it and stand up against it.

In conclusion, power abuse is a serious problem that can cause a lot of harm. But by holding people accountable and educating others, we can help to prevent it.

500 Words Essay on Abuse Of Power

Understanding power, what is abuse of power.

Abuse of power happens when someone uses their power in a bad way. This can mean making choices that help themselves instead of others. It can also mean using their power to hurt or control people. For example, if a boss threatens to fire an employee unless they do something they’re not comfortable with, that’s an abuse of power.

Examples of Power Abuse

Abuse of power can be seen in many places. In schools, a teacher might pick on a student because they don’t like them. In the workplace, a boss might give all the good tasks to their favorite employees. In politics, a leader might use their power to make laws that only benefit them and their friends.

How to Stop Power Abuse

Stopping abuse of power is not easy, but there are ways to do it. One way is to make sure everyone knows what abuse of power looks like. Education is a powerful tool against abuse. Another way is to have rules that stop people from abusing their power. For example, a school could have rules against teachers picking on students. Lastly, people can stand up against power abuse. If you see someone abusing their power, you can speak up or report it.

Abuse of power is a problem that can happen anywhere. It can hurt people and make them feel scared or unhappy. But by knowing what it looks like and how to stop it, we can make our world a fairer place. Remember, power is a tool, and like any tool, it should be used with care.

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Police Attitudes Toward Abuse of Authority: Findings From a National Study

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Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Antigone — An Analysis of Power, Authority and Truth in Antigone, a Play by Sophocles

An Analysis of Power, Authority and Truth in Antigone, a Play by Sophocles

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Published: Oct 22, 2018

Words: 1885 | Pages: 4 | 10 min read

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Home Essay Samples Literature The Crucible

Abuse of Power and Manipulation in "The Crucible"

Table of contents, introduction, abigail's manipulation and deception, the influence of fear, the destruction of innocence, impact of power and manipulation, lessons for modern society, works cited:.

• Miller, Arthur. ""The Crucible."" Penguin Classics, 197
• Miller, A. (1953). The Crucible: A Play in Four Acts. Viking Press.
• Bigsby, C. W. E. (2005). The Crucible: A Play of Power. Literature and Theology, 19(4), 328-344.
• Bloom, H. (Ed.). (2008). Arthur Miller's The Crucible. Infobase Publishing.
• Smith, A. (2019). The Abuse of Power and Manipulation in ""The Crucible."" Literary Devices. https://literarydevices.net/the-crucible/
• Jones, M. R. (2007). Power and Manipulation in Arthur Miller's ""The Crucible."" Critical Insights: Arthur Miller, 145-162.
• Williams, L. J. (2010). Authority and Manipulation in Arthur Miller's ""The Crucible."" (Master's thesis). University of Massachusetts Amherst.
• Nichols, M. (Director). (1996). The Crucible [Film]. 20th Century Fox.

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