Cause/Effect Essay (using original Essay 2 topic)

I still need to implement quotes...

Money is defined as a medium that can be exchanged for goods and services. Power is defined as the possession of control, authority, or influence over others. Money and power each has its own distinct meaning; however, they are closely associated with each other. People are perceived to have of money because they are powerful just as they perceived to be powerful because they have money. The relationship between the two works both ways. Money creates power just as power creates wealth. There is no shortage of high profile examples that support the idea that money creates power. Warren Buffett, Bill Gates, Oprah Winfrey, and Bono name just a few high profile people that had wealth and attained power because of their wealth. Conversely, Mohandas Gandhi and Barrack Obama demonstrate that money can be obtained through the development of power. There is an unspoken notion that money and power go hand-in-hand which is often times true, because one can be used as a stronghold to gain the other.

Today, Warren Buffett is thought to be one of the most successful investors in history. In 2009, Forbes ranked him as the second richest person in the world with a net worth of $37 billion (“Forbes”). Needless to say, he is extremely wealthy. He is also thought to be rather powerful. Despite the fact that Buffet has never run for a position in office, the U.S. government sought his help regarding financial decisions during the economic recession in the late 2000’s. Obviously, with the success he received from his investments, he was perceived to be a reputable source of help when it came to the U.S. economy’s well-being. Although Buffett never had any actual government authority, his wealth pinpointed him as a powerful individual. In 2003, California’s Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger even named him as senior economic advisor (“AllBusiness”). As can be seen, his money served as a catalyst for his power and influence, even though that may not have been his original intention.

The money-power relationship works both ways, however. While Warren Buffett is a prime example of how money was translated into power, Mohandas Gandhi is a key example of how power was translated into money. Over the course of his lifetime, Gandhi did many things to be recognized as a leader, visionary, and very powerful individual. He pioneered in the way of civil disobedience and non-violence, gaining huge amounts of respect from everyone he came in contact with (“Harley Hahn”). He was able to persuade and guide public response without the influence of wealth. He gained his power through his words and actions, not through his money. In fact, the power and respect that he earned by means of his virtuous lifestyle later translated into money – even though he chose not to use it for his own satisfaction (“Breakthrough Institute”). Although money and power are normally very closely associated, Gandhi was able to demonstrate that wealth is not necessary in order to be powerful or influential.

From the examples presented, it is obvious that money and power have a very close association. In Warren Buffett’s case, his wealth and actions fabricated his ability to be influential and powerful. In Gandhi’s case, his actions and public influence eventually produced wealth, even though he chose not to use it for himself. In essence, money and power create a repetitive cycle; if one is obtained, it acts as a stronghold to gain the other. So in fact, the public affiliation that the two have today really isn’t far off from reality.