The Dangerous Double Standard: Holding Those in Power Accountable
Addressing the hypocrisy in our treatment of leaders and promoting a fairer world
By: Maryam Nayeb Yazdi
Growing up in a free democratic society, we’re taught to stand up against abuse and to have zero tolerance for domestic violence. We’re encouraged to intervene and help those in abusive situations. However, when it comes to people or groups in official power, we often treat them differently. Even though their actions may have a greater impact on more lives, we seem to have double standards when it comes to those in power.
This mindset is rooted in the false belief that official power is synonymous with legitimate power. For example, dictatorship regimes may be in official power, but they are not necessarily legitimate. No entire society chooses to live under a dictatorship, with their basic freedoms stripped away.
The role of leadership is crucial in this issue. Those in official power are seen as leaders by many people. When they act and behave like murderers or worse, then what example do their followers have? What we lack in this world is leaders who lead by example and who are not always committing acts of hypocrisy.
We need to address the inconsistency in our treatment of individuals and groups in official power compared to those who are not. This imbalance harms us because those in official power can create more damage with their actions, affecting more lives. Yet, we tend to treat them more leniently than individuals who commit crimes outside of official power.
For example, when someone is charged with murder, we immediately remove them from society. However, we don’t treat human rights abusers in official power with the same urgency, despite the fact that their actions can impact millions or even billions of lives. This discrimination harms us as individuals, as we are the ones being affected by the actions of those in power.
How we perceive and discuss these issues matters greatly because it shapes policy, problem-solving approaches, and even the help we seek for finding lasting solutions. The first step is to treat everyone with the same standard. If murder and serial killing are bad, then they should be bad for everyone, including those in government positions.
We must recognize the double standards that exist in our treatment of those in official power and work towards a more balanced, just approach. By doing so, we can create lasting solutions and promote a fairer world for all, while fostering a new generation of leaders who lead by example and prioritize the well-being of their constituents.
