Since power over human beings is shown in making them do what they would rather not do, the man who is actuated by love of power is more apt to inflict pain than to permit pleasure. If you ask your boss for leave of absence from the office on some legitimate occasion, his love of power will derive more satisfaction from a refusal than from a consent. If you require a building permit, the petty official concerned will obviously get more pleasure from saying "No" than from saying "Yes".
Source：Bertrand Russell: What Desires Are Politically Important? 1950.
More info.：https://russell-j.com/beginner/0944WDPI-080.HTM
* a brief comment:
"The desire for power" is not the exclusive domain of politicians; it exists in everyone, from infants to the elderly, though to varying degrees. However, the targets of this power and the ways in which it is exercised can differ significantly.
For purely personal desires, money (wealth) can satisfy a great deal. But if one wishes to exert influence over society, the nation, or its citizens, political power or immense financial resources (funding) become necessary.
In the case of politicians, many seem to enter politics because they aspire to build a more prosperous society or nation and believe that achieving political power is essential for this goal. However, a great number of them eventually forget their original intentions, and the acquisition of power itself becomes their primary objective.
As for President Trump, his motivations appear to have been entirely different from the outset. Although he frequently chants MAGA (Make America Great Again), it seems to be primarily because it fulfills his own desire for power. Even if something would benefit America, he appears largely indifferent to matters in which he himself is not at the center, satisfying his own craving for power. Moreover, he cannot tolerate being anything less than constantly praised; when criticized, he retaliates with twice the force against his opponents.
As long as Trump remains president, the world will continue to be at his mercy. But will this last until the end of his term? If he continues on this path, it is entirely conceivable that yet another person may attempt to assassinate him. Even with such concerns and fears, he seems to believe that life is meaningless unless he is at the center, basking in the spotlight.
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