C1.2 That´s English Power

on

 SPEAKING







Do you agree with these statements?

  1. There should be greater openness about what local councils do with our taxes.
  2. Many local politicians try to do a good job for people in their area.
  3. Power tends to corrupt; absolute power corrupts absolutely.
  4. If you had the power to change something in the world, what would it be?
  5. How can ordinary citizens express their views in today's society?
  6. Do you think that ordinary people wield more power than before?
  7. In your opinion, what are some of the worst decisions made by the powers that be in recent years where you live?
  8. Have you ever been the victim of abuse of power?
  9. Who would you prefer to work for, a female boss, a male boss or neither? Why?
  10. Which of these factors do you think have the most power over people today? And in the past?
Religious institutions 
- Social and digital media 
- TV and radio 
- financial institutions 
- politicians

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1. Should we knock down old buildings or try and preserve them? 
2. In your town or city, do landlords often abuse their power'
3. Is corruption among politicians inevitable? 
4. Have you ever protested to your local council about something?


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 Power & Influence Discussion

1. What is power? What does it mean to have power in a society?
2. How much power or influence do you have in your country? If there were a vote in your country
tomorrow on raising taxes, who would make that decision? How much influence would you have
over that decision?
3. Do men or women have more power? Why is this?
4. Who are the most powerful people in the world? What makes them so powerful? Who are the
most powerful people or groups in your country?
5. How do people get to become powerful? How does this happen in your country?
6. Which countries are the most powerful? What makes them powerful? How powerful is your country? Would you prefer it to be more powerful? Why?
7. Do you agree that with great power comes great responsibility?
8. Do you believe there is a secret group of elites that control the world? If so, who are these people? If not, why do people believe this?

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1. Why do people pursue power? Do you agree with George Orwell that people pursue power for the sake of having power?
2. How do people or groups maintain their grip on power? How do authorities get people to obey and accept their rule?
3. How do people or groups take power from those that have it?
4. Do you agree that money is power? Are there any exceptions to this?
5. Why do people say knowledge is power? Can you think of any examples?
6. Is power essentially coercive, evil, and unjust; or can it be a force for good?
7. Is it desirable for power to be distributed equally in society? How would that work? Can a society in which power is not evenly distributed ever be referred to as a democracy? Why or why not?
8. Lord Acton said, "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." Do you agree?

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Many people say that in order to be considered truly democratic, power must be evenly distributed throughout society. What are the advantages and disadvantages of an equal distribution of power in society?







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