Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely’. This phrase is credited to

Analyze the question: You are asked who is credited with the famous quote, "Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely."

Explain the concept: This quote is about the dangers of concentrated power in government. It is a key idea behind separation of powers, checks and balances, and constitutionalism, which are common topics in Government exams.

Go through the options:

• A. A.V. Dicey was a British jurist known for the Rule of Law and parliamentary sovereignty.
• B. Montesquieu was a French thinker who propounded the Separation of Powers in The Spirit of the Laws. He argued for dividing power, but the quote is not his.
• C. Jean Bodin was a French thinker known for his theory of sovereignty.
• D. John Locke was an English philosopher of the social contract, natural rights, and limited government.
• E. Lord Acton was a British historian. In 1887 he wrote in a letter to Bishop Mandell Creighton: "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely."

Answer: The quote belongs to Lord Acton, which is option E.

Exam tip: Link each thinker to one key idea:

• Acton → "Power corrupts"
• Montesquieu → Separation of powers
• Dicey → Rule of law
• Bodin → Sovereignty
• Locke → Natural rights and the social contract

Remember "Acton = Absolute power" and you will not forget it.