“With great power comes great responsibility.” said Uncle Ben, Spider-Man (2002)
This iconic quote from the Spider-Man franchise has transcended its cinematic origins to become a universal moral axiom. While it was initially meant to guide a young superhero grappling with newfound abilities, its resonance extends far beyond the realm of fiction. It encompasses all areas and professions in the real world, particularly in the realm of global politics. This principle serves as a crystal-clear reminder of the ethical weight that comes with exercising influence.
Political power, like superhuman strength, is a double-edged sword. Such powers are used to uplift societies, promote peace, and drive innovation, or they can be abused to exploit, oppress, and destroy. Such destruction can be an outcome of selfishness. Generally, politicians are motivated by self-interest, whether for their own benefit or the good of their country. The history of global politics is a testament to both possibilities: creation and destruction. From imperial downfalls to nuclear diplomacy, the trajectory of human civilization has been shaped by how power was exercised and by whom.
Great examples are the United States of America, China, and India. We will study the example below.
The Dual Nature of Political Power
Political power is neither inherently virtuous nor heinous. It is a tool, and its moral character is determined by its application. Leaders and nations have historically utilized power to establish institutions, liberate individuals, and promote human rights. Conversely, the same power has been used to colonize, enslave, loot, radicalize, wars, and commit terrorism.
This duality is not just theoretical—it’s deeply embedded in the historical record. Let’s examine a few such examples to depict the good and the bad uses of political power.
Imperialism: The Destructive Use of Power
One of the most glaring and heinous examples of destructive political power is European imperialism. Between the 15th and 20th centuries, European powers, including Britain, France, Spain, Portugal, and the Netherlands, established colonies across Africa, Asia, and the Americas. These empires justified their expansion through a mix of economic ambition, racial superiority, and religious zeal. All the colonies looted the world and filled their treasuries. Yet none of the economies could maintain a top position in terms of GDP and consistent growth until the 21st century. All these economies are sitting on the looted treasures and the technologies from different parts of the world.
Case Study: British Colonialism in India
The British East India Company began its operations in India in the early 1600s, initially as a trading entity. At that time, India contributed 23% of the world’s GDP. Over time, it morphed into a political force, exploiting internal divisions and establishing control over vast territories. By the mid-19th century, India was under direct British rule.
Destruction:
- The British drained India’s wealth, dismantled indigenous industries (like textiles), and imposed exploitative taxation systems. Colonial policies exacerbated the famines, such as the Bengal famine of 1943.
- The loot was so substantial that when the British left India, India’s contribution to the total world economy shrank drastically to only 2%. It almost took away every penny Indians earned.
- The estimated loot is over 45 trillion pounds till 1947.
- Mass level of conversion happened. Most of the religions in the country, other than Hinduism, are the result of direct conversion. Arab invaders converted a significant portion of the population, while British, Dutch, and French colonies in India controlled the remainder. History witnessed it; it’s not my statement.
- Construction—for themselves: The wealth extracted from India helped fuel Britain’s Industrial Revolution. Infrastructure, such as railways and telegraphs, though built in India, primarily served British economic interests.
Britishers replicated this pattern worldwide. They plunder the colonies for resources, labour, and strategic advantage, while the colonizers enriched their own nations.
The biggest Irony is that these colonisers now teach lessons in ethics, good and bad habits, technological training, sustainability, creating an eco-friendly environment, and pollution control, among others.
Nuclear Power: The Ultimate Test of Responsibility
If imperialism was the misuse of political power in the past, nuclear technology represents the modern test of responsible as well as destructive power.
The Atomic Bomb: Destruction Unleashed
In 1945, the United States dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, instantly killing over 100,000 people and leaving long-term radiation effects. These bombings ended World War II but introduced the world to a terrifying new reality: humanity now possessed the power to extinguish itself.
Nuclear Energy: Constructive Potential
Yet, the same nuclear technology can be harnessed for peaceful purposes. Nuclear power plants generate electricity with minimal carbon emissions, offering a cleaner and sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. Countries such as France and Japan have heavily relied on nuclear energy to meet their energy needs.
But here is the catch. What if such Nuclear Energy countries engage in war, and enemies target their nuclear power plants? This could even lead to retaliatory atomic war.
This dichotomy—between the bomb and the reactor—illustrates the essence of the Spider-Man quote. Power itself is neutral; responsibility determines its legacy.
Powers of the United States of America
The USA has tremendous political power. Smaller countries look to the USA for protection of their political sovereignty, economic support, and territorial integrity.
Why do they look at America? Because it has monetary, political, influential, and military powers.
The bad part of their power
- A recent example of a Tariff war. The USA has imposed tariffs not only on enemy countries but also on friendly countries.
- The USA plays a sanction war game wherever it politically fails.
- Many believe that the creator of some terror organizations is the USA. While I hardly believe it.
- However, it is very accurate that they support terrorist countries like Pakistan. Maybe to counter India. But how far is this justified, that to counter any country, you will support terrorism?
- The Vietnam War, which the USA ultimately lost. This was a completely inhuman and heinous war crime that they ever committed. Finally, their own country demanded the immediate cessation of the war, and then, with American pressure, it ultimately came to an end.
- Henry Kissinger once said this in a private interview to a reporter back in 1968 – It may be dangerous to be America’s enemy, but to be America’s friend is fatal.
Is it a time when some other country will replace the world’s powerful country? Please do comment below.
Powers of India
India gained independence in August 1947. Israel got the same in 1948. But look at how Israel progressed, despite being surrounded by enemies, and even after facing a fatal attack on it, it stood tall in the world. Especially in technology and security agencies (Mossad), no one can compete with it.
The difference between the powers of India and Israel
- Though both countries gained independence nearly at the same time, Israel could excel because of its political will.
- While India struggled with a lesser political willpower, a mass level of massacre due to religious issues, and a tremendous level of corruption, the fight for taking the credit for the independence, incompetent government formations based on the Britishers’ advice for obvious selfish reasons, territorial and communal disputes, community-based politics, trying to irradicate certain religions from India and giving undue advantages to such community which is still radicalizing the whole world.
- All the above and many more reasons put India down. Especially, political unwillingness, mass poverty and illiteracy that pushed people to elect one party for 60 years.
- India never opened its economy for globalization until 1991 when the country was on the brink of economic collapse. The above reasons are sufficient to explain why the Indian economy faltered in 1991.
1998 Government
Successfully tested nuclear weapons and made significant changes to a globalization policy.
2004 to 2014 Governments
Examine the misuse of power. Unfortunately, I could not write about the good parts of this government because there are hardly any.
- A lot of terror attacks happened, but the government was neutral, even after terrorists killed its own people.
- A Government significantly empowered a specific community. The same community took massive, destructive advantage to take over century-old properties in the name of religion. The government took steps to take over more than 40,000 temples and controlled all the money they were receiving. However, they could not dare to take over other religious sites, fearing global pressure.
2014 onwards governments
- Terror attack drops significantly because of retaliatory actions.
- Economy reached the top 5 list, surpassing Brazil, the UK, Japan, France, etc.
- One small war and surgical strikes exposed the terror country Pakistan on the global stage.
- The government abrogated the beast article, Article 370.
- Successfully faced, retaliated, and recently settled the stand-off against China.
- A lot of economic, infrastructure, and military development happened.
Now this is referred to as a political willingness.
Power of China
- The Chinese government is communist.
- The government controls everything in China. They control civilians in every moment of every activity.
- Any anti-government statement may make the person disappear from the world. Like Jack Ma, owner of Alibaba.com
- China even controls and has fixed the foreign exchange conversion rates against its currency
- The government monitors every business, every act, every money earned.
- Community activities are curbed and controlled. China, especially, does not allow the Muslim community to speak up over the Uyghur Muslims.
- China doesn’t care about what other countries say about it.
- It controls the media. The media prints or shows only the news that the Chinese government wants them to print.
- External apps are either not allowed or are strictly monitored. Facebook, Google, and YouTube are not available in China. They use their own maps and social media apps, such as TikTok. China is another world within the world.
Now you may call it a dictatorship or the government’s smartness. One thing is sure, they never face the problem of over-independence, communal riots, and hatred. But on the contrary, they do not offer independence.
The Real Meaning of “With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility”
At its core, this quote is a call to ethical stewardship. It urges those in positions of influence—be they superheroes, politicians, or nations—to act with foresight, compassion, and accountability.
In global politics, this means:
- Resisting the temptation to dominate: No one should use the power to exploit weaker nations or communities. But every politician uses it to exploit, unfortunately
- Prioritizing long-term well-being: Decisions should consider future generations, not just immediate gains.
- Embracing transparency and dialogue: Responsible power involves listening, negotiating, and respecting diverse perspectives.
Controlled Power as Patriotism, Creativity, and Artistry
True power lies not in brute force but in restraint and vision. The ability to wield power constructively is a form of patriotism—it reflects a commitment to the greater good, not just national self-interest.
- Creativity in Diplomacy
Consider the Marshall Plan after World War II. Instead of punishing defeated nations, the U.S. invested in rebuilding Europe. This not only stabilized the region but also fostered long-term alliances.
- Artistry in Governance
Visionary leaders like Nelson Mandela used political power to heal rather than retaliate. His emphasis on reconciliation over revenge in post-apartheid South Africa is a masterclass in responsible leadership.
- A Call to Today’s Leaders
In an age of climate crises, cyber warfare, and geopolitical tensions, the stakes have never been higher. Leaders today must recognize that their decisions ripple across borders and generations.
Whether it’s regulating AI, managing pandemics, or addressing inequality, the principle remains: with great power comes great responsibility.
Conclusion: The Legacy We Choose
The Spider-Man quote is more than a cinematic catchphrase—it’s a moral compass. History has shown us the consequences of power wielded irresponsibly, from colonial exploitation to nuclear devastation. However, it has also demonstrated the transformative potential of power when used wisely.
The real artistry of leadership lies in choosing construction over destruction, empathy over ego, and vision over vengeance. That choice defines not just the legacy of individual leaders, but the fate of humanity itself.
