Money vs. Power

Yes, because you agree to all of the legislation and court decisions knowing that you'll be forced to (or forced into jail or some other punishment) by soldiers if you don't. Have you tried disobeying and letting the state know that you're breaking the law?

....

money, id on't wanna have to manage other people

Power can defeat money even if it doesn’t have as much money itself. Example: Lenin’s coup. Guns beat the Tsar and all his wealth, because even if the Tsar could theoretically buy a sufficient security force, in his context it wasn’t enough or fast enough.

The Tsar was already deposed when Lenin launched his coup (it was a provisional government that he overthrew), but that's a good example nonetheless.

Also a good example for exploring why a government loses power once it no longer owns a monopoly on violence.

lol yeah thanks for the correction.

Originally posted by The Ellimist
Chief Justice Roberts has a net worth of about 6 million dollars. There are lots of random bankers worth more than that, yet Roberts is certainly more powerful than almost all of them by virtue of being able to hand down court decisions, which doesn't really rely on his personal wealth. I suppose you could say that it ultimately ties back to the wealth of the United States backing him, but that's an imperfect measurement: medieval England could not build an aircraft carrier even if you gave it unlimited money. Some things you can improve with money, but gradually and in confluence with other factors.

I guess now the question is how do you define "money"? We talking billions? Cuz I have to assume Justice Roberts went to college. I have to assume that cost money.

Therefore, he could not have attained his power without money. But he wouldn't of needed to be a millionaire just to go to college.

To be honest for most people money and power are just a way of getting good sex. Look at Trump, Bill Clinton or Ghengis Khan. Obviously for Incels it's different and freakish.

In a Lost situation, on a deserted island where there's limited resources, or a Zombie apocalypse I'd take power. In those situations, money would mean nothing.

In regular society, money can buy you power but power can't get you money so Money is more valuable.

Originally posted by The Ellimist
Which do you value more and why?

Really depends how much of each. But lets say it's either 200million USD or the ability to influence and sway 100million of your fellow Americans (or about 1/3rd of the citizenry of another country)

I'd still pick the 200million USD, as I'm not sure I'd use the vast amount of power to sway that many people for the greater good. You could make or break politics with that much.

YouTube video

I’m going to have to refer to Frank Underwood for this question: “Money is the McMansion in Sarasota that starts falling apart after 10 years. Power is the old stone building that stands for centuries. I cannot respect someone who doesn't see the difference.”

Money. Easily. I couldn't care less about leading or lording over others. Besides, a certain degree of power is inherent with a lot of money. It's the same with mone or fame. I'll take money all day every day.

Originally posted by Surtur
Can you name a single person who rose to power without money?

Abraham Lincoln, for sure.

But every president on this list that is <1:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Presidents_of_the_United_States_by_net_worth

Edit - The above link does not work and I don't know why. Try this:

https://tinyurl.com/hjoylfm

see, power might beat money, but that doesn't mean all people care about which one is more "powerful". What's easier to use? Money.

If knowledge is power and power corrupts, how the human kind ever survives?

Originally posted by Surtur
Can you have power without money?

Politician or policeman.

Originally posted by Surtur
Can you have power without money?

They aren't poor, but they certainly have an influence disproportionate to their wealth.

I think I'd find it easier to gather a fortune from any position of power I found myself in than I would trying to become more influential by using money from a lottery win for example.

Bah, too much money/power is more curse than blessing IMO. I've seen first hand an excess of money destroy ppl and an excess of power turn ppl into absolute monsters.

Pretty content where I am from an economic/influence standpoint so I would go likely neither.

Edit. If the question is merely "what is more valuable to you as a person, not what you want more of", then: Money. Because it allows me to get necessities and things I need for myself and my family. Power has no value to me because I see it as simply how much influence you can inflict on others.