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NEWS: Janice Hopkins Tanne US psychiatrist is fired from radio programme for not disclosing drug company ties BMJ 2008; 337: a2934 [Full text]

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Power tends to corrupt (Lord Acton)

Hugh Mann   (18 December 2008)

Power tends to corrupt (Lord Acton) 18 December 2008
Hugh Mann, Physician Eagle Rock, MO 65641 USA Send response to journal: Re: Power tends to corrupt (Lord Acton)	Despite abundant examples of how money and power often lead to corruption, we continue to be surprised each time another example is uncovered. Why are we so surprised? Perhaps we unrealistically elevate powerful people as exemplars of morality who can function as perfect leaders. Let’s resist this temptation and recognize that powerful people are often driven by ambition, greed, and hubris, and must be viewed with a measure of skepticism and cynicism. And let’s demand that powerful people provide the public with real evidence of transparency and accountability. Competing interests: None declared