"Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." Said Lord Acton back in the nineteenth century. George Orwell took up the same theme in his 1945 novel 'Animal Farm'. One only needs to look around to see that it is true. But why does power corrupt? I would argue that it is because the gene that carries leaders to the top - the gene that drives a person to a position of power - does not come with an 'off' switch. Once in power, the 'chosen one' has nothing left to do but to seek and more power, even where there is none to rationally take. And to consolidate their power by any means when they see it is slipping away.* If that is true, what are the consequences? Well, it depends on the strength of your constitution. You only need to look around the world today to see the consequences where the constitutions are not strong enough to contain the individuals in charge.: Look for the countries where free communication has been switched off; where civilians are are persecuted for arranging political gatherings; and look for the countries that wage wars to invoke patriotism to prop up regimes** - and you will see the importance of a constitution that turns over its leaders every few years. So, this idea is that more attention needs to be given to societies need to take special care for their constitutions. To teach the importance of constitutions. Constitutions that turn over the leaders, as much as anything, preserve security in this world. Constitutions preserve freedom. Constitutions save lives. Sort your constitution first. Fix the world second. This applies to our global society, the United Nations, as much as any one else. *eg pork barreling, January 6, 'removing' political opponents. ** though, this can sometimes happen in counties with constitutions that turn over leaders, too, eg George Bush junior.