MGT536 Ethics and Epics

Final Project

Greed for Power

(Case Analysis of Donald Trump)
Submitted to Professor: Chirag Trivedi and Nimit Thakkar

Submitted by: Group 7

Enrollment No. Name

AU1910083 Shyam Padaliya

AU1910338 Mansi Shah

AU1910315 Drishya Gala

AU1910293 Shravan Gugale

AU1910111 Jinesh Shah

AU1910508 Parshwa Vora

1
Introduction:

The epics of the Mahabharata and Ramayana, two of the most important and influential
works of Indian literature, contain the idea of "greed for power" as a central theme. Greed for
power is the urge to dominate and rule others, frequently at the expense of moral and ethical
standards. Characters' quest for dominion drives them throughout both epics, creating moral
conundrums and ethical difficulties. This issue is essential in the setting of the Mahabharata
and Ramayana because it speaks to the current state of humanity, where people frequently put
their interests above moral principles. The concept of power-grab warns against the perils of
ambition and the distorting effects of power. We can better manage the complicated
relationships between management and morality in our own lives by comprehending the
ramifications of this issue in the setting of these epics.

Relevance of the theme:

The concept of greed for power is significant today for several reasons. First of all, it is a
widespread problem that affects all communities. The desire for power and control over
others can result in corruption, unethical behaviour, and even human rights breaches. This is
true of corporate executives as well as political leaders. The relentless quest for power can
also lead to social and economic inequality, which denies people without power access to
opportunities and resources.

Second, greed for power frequently results in hostility and violence. Wars and battles have
been waged throughout history to control resources, land, and populations. Power struggles
continue to impact confrontations between states, political parties, and social groupings even
today. Devastating outcomes, such as the loss of life, evictions, and community ruin, may
follow.

Thirdly, greed for power can potentially erode democratic principles and institutions. Leaders
undermine the legitimacy and faith of the democratic process when they put their interests
ahead of their constituents. As a result, there may be less accountability, less transparency,
and a concentration of power among many people.

Fourth, greed for power can stand in the way of advancement and creativity. People or
organisations may disregard the needs and interests of others when they are primarily

2
concerned with acquiring and retaining power. This may inhibit innovation, teamwork, and
the generation of fresh concepts and approaches to societal issues.

Lastly, greed for power is still present today because it is an essential characteristic of human
nature. Power has always been a driving force in human behaviour, whether in money,
position, or influence. Although we have made strides in controlling and managing the
pursuit of power, it remains a challenge that demands continuous attention and effort.

The issue of power lust is still essential today since it impacts all societies, fuels conflict and
bloodshed, undercuts democratic ideals, impedes advancement and creativity, and is a crucial
aspect of how people are. Power-seeking is still a problem that needs constant attention and
action, despite efforts to control and manage it.

Discussion of Situations and Ethical Dilemmas:

1. Krishna's ambition to rule Dwaraka (Mahabharata) The battle between the Pandavas
and the Kauravas in the Mahabharata is significantly influenced by Krishna, the
manifestation of Lord Vishnu. He had his kingdom in Dwaraka during his lifetime.
Krishna, however, decided to aid the Pandavas in their victory against the Kauravas
when his friend Arjuna requested it. Helping the Pandavas was not wholly unselfish
on Krishna's part. He had a personal ambition to overthrow his cousin Ugrasena as
king of Dwaraka.

When Ugrasena was jailed by his son Kansa, Krishna saw the chance to topple the king. In
exchange for helping the Pandavas defeat the Kauravas, Krishna requested their assistance
toppling Ugrasena. Krishna eventually rose to power in Dwaraka, but his deeds present moral
dilemmas concerning the propriety of taking advantage of others.

2. Yudhishthira's desire to rule as emperor following his victory over Duryodhana

(Mahabharata) The eldest Pandava, Yudhishthira, was renowned for his righteousness
and dedication to dharma. Even he, though, was susceptible to the temptation of
power. Yudhishthira declared his desire to rule the universe after defeating
Duryodhana in the battle of Kurukshetra. He had to choose between this yearning and
his humility and righteousness moral beliefs.

3
Yudhishthira was cautioned by Krishna to be aware of his thirst for power and to keep in
mind that enormous responsibility comes along with it. In the end, Yudhishthira resolved to
abdicate the kingdom in favour of his younger brother, Arjuna, after realising that his thirst
for power was motivated by ego and pride.

3. Ravana's Ambition to Rule over Heaven, earth, and the Underworld In the Ramayana,
Ravana is portrayed as a strong demon king who aspires to rule over Heaven, earth,
and the Underworld. He desires to subdue even the gods because he thinks his
strength and power make him unstoppable. Ravana kidnaps Sita, the wife of Prince
Rama, and imprisons her in Lanka to accomplish his aim.

Ravana eventually falls because of his desire for power. Rama is a formidable warrior, and
the avatar of Lord Vishnu, but Rama's pride and arrogance have made him unaware that he
has turned him against him. Because of his ambition for dominance, Ravana is ultimately
defeated and put to death by Rama.

4. The Mahabharata's Duryodhana's Greed to obtain the throne. The desire to govern the
Hastinapur kingdom drove Duryodhana, the eldest of the Kaurava brothers. He
believed that the kingdom correctly belonged to him as the firstborn and the son of the
former king's eldest wife. But because Yudhishthira was thought to be more moral and
just than Duryodhana, he was chosen to be the monarch. Due to this, Duryodhana
hatched a scheme to assassinate Yudhishthira and the Pandavas, which resulted in the
famous Battle of Kurukshetra.

The struggle between Duryodhana's ambition and his responsibility to defend justice and
righteousness creates the situation's ethical conundrum. Duryodhana was willing to go to any
extent to gain the kingdom for himself, even if it meant abandoning his own family and
causing untold numbers of people to suffer greatly.

5. Manipulation by Shakuni in the Mahabharata Shakuni was a skilful manipulator who

was instrumental in the circumstances that led to the Battle of Kurukshetra. He was
Duryodhana's maternal uncle and used his intelligence and skill to sow the seeds of
strife between the Kauravas and the Pandavas. He persuaded Duryodhana to invite the
Pandavas to a dice game, which he manipulated so that they lost everything—
including their kingdom—and were sent into exile.

4
 The contradiction between Shakuni's desire for vengeance and his obligation to act
righteously constitutes the situation's ethical conundrum. Shakuni's actions, motivated by
his desire to punish the wrongs he believed had been done to his family, led to a terrible
battle and a great deal of misery for others.

6. Kaikeyi's Call for Power from the Ramayana One of King Dasaratha's three wives,
Kaikeyi, was motivated by her desire to ensure that her son Bharata would inherit the
crown. Kaikeyi insisted that Dasaratha carry out two pledges he had made to her years
before he would declare Rama, his eldest son, the heir to the throne. These vows
included making her son the king and banishing Rama for 14 years to the wilderness.
Rama was exiled due to Dasaratha's forced compliance with her requests, which set
off the subsequent chain of events.

The struggle between Kaikeyi's desire for herself and her responsibility to maintain justice
and righteousness constitutes this situation's ethical conundrum. Even though it went against
social standards and morality, Kaikeyi was willing to deceive her husband and inflict great
agony on her stepchild to get the crown for her son.

Donald Trump's Greed for Power: The Cambridge Analytica and Stormy
Daniels Cases

Controversies and division surrounded Trump's ascent to the US presidency in 2016. Trump
has shown a strong desire for power throughout his campaign and subsequent presidency. He
has also demonstrated a readiness to engage in unethical and illegal behaviour to obtain that
power. The Stormy Daniels case and the Cambridge Analytica controversy are two incidents
that shed light on Trump's lust for power.

Cambridge Analytica's involvement in the 2016 US Presidential Election was at the centre of
the Cambridge Analytica scandal. The organisation, which worked on the Trump campaign
and was co-founded by Trump's former campaign manager Steve Bannon, was charged with
illegally gathering Facebook user data. Then, using this information, customised political
advertisements were made to appeal to users' prejudices and anxieties while disseminating
incorrect information.

5
Trump's desire for power is evident in the data scandal, which gave his team an unfair
advantage by enabling them to target swing voters in crucial states with political
advertisements. By appealing to their emotions and disseminating misleading information,
the data were exploited to influence voters. Despite losing the popular vote, the Trump
campaign won the election by a slim margin in crucial states. There is no doubt about
Trump's participation with Cambridge Analytica. Bannon was an essential player in the
Trump campaign and a business co-founder. Evidence implies that Donald Trump was aware
of the data breach and that the Trump campaign exploited the information to target voters in
crucial states. For instance, Trump appeared to be mindful of the problem during the
campaign when he criticised Facebook for the scandal in a tweet from 2018. It is impossible
to overestimate how the Cambridge Analytica scandal affected the election and American
democracy. The Trump campaign weakened the integrity of the election and eroded public
confidence in democratic institutions by misleading people and appealing to their emotions.
Long-term effects of this include a decline in faith in democratic institutions and procedures
as well as an intensifying polarisation of American society.

Another illustration of Trump's greed for power is the Stormy Daniels case. Allegations in the
case centre on the fact that Trump's lawyer Michael Cohen allegedly sent adult film actress
Stormy Daniels $130,000 in hush money just before the 2016 presidential election to cover
up their alleged 2006 affair. The case is crucial because it shows Trump's willingness to use
his power and resources to hide scandals and evade responsibility. Due to the claims of
sexual impropriety involved, which have recently gained prominence in American politics,
the Stormy Daniels case is particularly relevant. Trump has shown an apparent disregard for
the law by reportedly indulging in sexual misbehaviour and using his power and influence to
cover up the situation.

It is also evident that Trump was involved in the Stormy Daniels case. According to Cohen's
testimony in court, Trump was informed of Cohen's decision to make the hush money
payment. This shows that Trump actively participated in hiding the crisis and was prepared to
act unethically and possibly illegally to protect his reputation and position of power.

The Cambridge Analytica and Stormy Daniels cases prove that Trump's lust for power
motivates him. Trump was prepared to utilise unethical tactics in the Cambridge Analytica
case to win the election and maintain his position of power. In the Stormy Daniels case,
Trump was scheduled to act unethically and possibly illegally to protect his reputation and
6
standing of authority. Additionally, both incidents show a pattern of conduct compatible with
Trump's general strategy for power and politics. To strengthen his hold on power, Trump has
continuously worked to undermine the court and the media, two bedrock of democratic
institutions. To uphold his reputation and keep his position of authority, he has also
demonstrated a readiness to act unethically, including lying and disseminating false
information.

In conclusion, the Stormy Daniels and Cambridge Analytica cases shed light on Donald
Trump's desire for power. Both incidents show Trump's readiness to act immorally and
possibly illegally to protect his reputation and position of authority. Additionally, both
incidents fit into a pattern of conduct that reveals a deep-seated desire for power and a
propensity to subvert democratic institutions to get it. Trump's lust for power has serious
repercussions, and they seriously endanger American democracy and the rule of law.

Comparison of Epics and the Case Study:

It is also apparent in the case of Donald Trump that the idea of greed for power, an essential
topic in the Mahabharata and the Ramayana, is present. Characters from these old Indian
epics echo Trump's desire for ability and willingness to act unethically, even illegally, to gain
and hold it. The epics serve as warning stories about the dangers of greed for power, and
Trump's actions offer a modern illustration of what happens when ambition goes
unrestrained.

Characters in the Mahabharata and Ramayana are motivated by their ambition for power,
which causes ethical disputes and moral ambiguities. For instance, Duryodhana, a character
from the Mahabharata, becomes involved in a war with his relatives, the Pandavas, after
becoming driven by his ambition for power. In the Ramayana, the demon king Ravana is
similarly motivated by his desire for dominance and ultimately meets his demise owing to his
immoral actions.

Both the Stormy Daniels case and the Cambridge Analytica affair show how eager Trump is
for power and how likely he is to act unethically to get it. Trump's campaign employed
unethical tactics in the Cambridge Analytica scandal to influence the election and maintain
his position of power. Similarly, it is claimed that Trump acted immorally and possibly
illegally during the Stormy Daniels case to retain his good name and place of authority.

7
Trump's lust for power has similar repercussions to those seen in the epics. The protagonists'
lust for power ultimately brings about their downfall and the destruction of their kingdoms in
the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. Similarly, Trump's actions have increased polarisation in
American society and a loss of faith in democratic institutions. Trump's actions have also
diminished American influence abroad and jeopardised the stability of international
organisations.

In conclusion, the contrast between Donald Trump's actions and the moral conundrums in the
Mahabharata and Ramayana illustrates the applicability and universality of the topic of
avarice for power. Trump's behaviour serves as a lesson in the dangers of unbridled ambition
and the corrupting effects of power. We can try to create a more moral and just society by
comprehending the ramifications of this topic in the setting of the epics and modern politics.

Suggestions for overcoming the ethical dilemma using alternate approaches:

1. Value-based decision-making: People and organisations can base their decisions on

fundamental principles like honesty, justice, and integrity. As the user previously said,
"Dharma" is significant in Indian mythology and emphasises the significance of
acting morally, regardless of personal benefit or self-interest. Similarly, Michael
Cohen, Donald Trump's former attorney, describes how he put loyalty before ideals,
which ultimately brought to his demise in his book "Disloyal: A Memoir." As a result,
individuals and organisations should put ideals ahead of allegiance or self-interest.

2. Promote accountability: Organisations and society should hold people responsible for
their conduct. Even though he was a strong monarch in the Ramayana, Lord Rama
had to pay the price for his deeds, as was previously established. Donald Trump also
experienced legal repercussions for his activities while in office. Accountability can
therefore discourage unethical behaviour.

3. Encourage a culture of openness: Openness can aid in preventing unethical behaviour.

The Mahabharata emphasises the value of openness and transparency in government,
as was already mentioned. The people similarly lost faith in Donald Trump because of
his lack of transparency and repeated dishonesty.

8
 4. Place a strong emphasis on education and awareness: These two factors can assist
people and organisations in understanding the value of ethical conduct. As was
already said, the Mahabharata imparts many life lessons, including the adverse effects
of lust for power. Similarly, individuals and organisations may now learn about the
value of ethical behaviour by enrolling in various books, courses, and seminars on the
subject.

5. Encourage ethical leadership: Leaders are essential in establishing an organisation's

ethical culture. As was already said, Lord Rama is revered in Indian mythology as an
example of moral leadership. Similarly, Donald Trump's immoral leadership style
contributed to an environment of dishonesty and unethical conduct throughout his
government.

Overall, overcoming the moral conundrum of power-grubbing necessitates a multifaceted

strategy involving moral principles, responsibility, openness, education, and ethical
leadership. Using these strategies, people and organisations can encourage moral conduct
and stop the harmful effects of power lust.

Conclusion:

Last but not least, the subject of greed for power in the Mahabharata and Ramayana warns
about the dangers of ambition and the corrupting effects of power. The quest for power drove
the characters in these epics, creating moral ambiguities and ethical difficulties. Examples of
the ethical conundrums that result from the desire for power include Krishna's ambition to
rule Dwaraka, Yudhishthira's desire to rule as emperor, Ravana's ambition to rule over each of
the three worlds, Duryodhana's throne-hunger, Shakuni's abuse, and Kaikeyi's need for
power. This issue is essential in the setting of the Mahabharata and Ramayana because it
speaks to the current state of humanity, where people frequently put their interests above
moral principles. Therefore, the implications of this topic in the setting of these epics can aid
us in navigating the complicated relationships between power and ethics in our lives. It is
crucial to remember that having authority carries much responsibility and that we must be
careful not to let our desire for power get in the way of our moral and ethical principles. The
Mahabharata and the Ramayana remind us that to live a meaningful and full life, we must
strike a balance between our desire for power and our adherence to ethical and moral ideals.