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by SiempreViernes 520 days ago
Power tripping isn't really about being "tempted by power", rather it's when you become self-righteous because you got granted (some) power.

If you want some sweeping generalisation for why Americans are more prone to this sin, how about the various old cultural patterns of thought that fit under the header "manifest destiny"?
2 comments
liontwist 520 days ago
Citing an 19th century political movement is not an explanation for why Americans would be “power tripping”.

What practice or ethos has descended from that time which is currently reinforced?

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astrange 519 days ago
Australia is a colonial nation that unified its entire continent - that's beating the US, who have two large neighbors and a couple small ones.

(Of course both countries have indigenous nations inside them. They're actually very similar, which I think is the reason Australians tend to be culturally resentful of the US on surveys in a way almost no other country is.)

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