Abuse of Power

Abstract

"Abuse of power" is a concept that appears to have substantial everyday purchase.  We impeach politicians for abuse of power, train lawyers not to abuse power over clients, and take steps to make sure professors, doctors, and so on, avoid abusing power.  But what is power abuse?  And what are its normative contours?  In this paper, I offer a conceptual analysis of the abuse of power and, in light of this, an account of its normative significance.  I argue that the best understanding of power abuse suggests that it is not (or not necessarily) a morally significant category, but rather an independent source of reasons that applies to individuals in virtue of the practices in which they participate.