“Great ambition is the passion of a great character. Those endowed with it may perform very good or very bad acts. All depends on the principles which direct them.” – Napoleon Bonaparte. Stating examples, mention the rulers (i) who have harmed society and country, (ii) who worked for the development of society and country. (UPSC 2017, 10 Marks, )

"महान महत्वाकांक्षा एक महान चरित्र का जुनून है। जिनके पास यह है वे बहुत अच्छे या बहुत बुरे कार्य कर सकते हैं। यह सब उन सिद्धांतों पर निर्भर करता है जो उन्हें निर्देशित करते हैं।" - नेपोलियन बोनापार्ट। उदाहरण देते हुए शासकों का उल्लेख करें (i) जिन्होंने समाज और देश को नुकसान पहुंचाया, (ii) जिन्होंने समाज और देश के विकास के लिए काम किया

Introduction

 Napoleon Bonaparte, a prominent historical figure, highlights the connection between ambition and character.

 He emphasizes that ambition can lead to both positive and negative outcomes, depending on one's guiding principles.

Explanation

(i) Rulers Who Harmed Society and Country:

1. Adolf Hitler (Germany):

 Example: Hitler's ambition for power and expansion led to World War II and the Holocaust, resulting in immense suffering, destruction, and loss of life.

2. Joseph Stalin (Soviet Union):

 Example: Stalin's ambition for a totalitarian state led to widespread purges, famines, and human rights abuses, causing immense suffering among the Soviet population.

3. Pol Pot (Cambodia):

 Example: Pol Pot's ambition for an agrarian utopia resulted in the Khmer Rouge regime, responsible for the Cambodian Genocide, which led to the deaths of approximately 1.7 million people.

4. Mao Zedong (China):

 Example: Mao's ambition for a communist revolution led to the disastrous Great Leap Forward and Cultural Revolution, causing famine, persecution, and millions of deaths.

(ii) Rulers Who Worked for the Development of Society and Country:

1. Nelson Mandela (South Africa):

 Example: Mandela's ambition for racial equality and justice led to the end of apartheid, promoting peace, reconciliation, and democracy in South Africa.

2. Mahatma Gandhi (India):

 Example: Gandhi's ambition for India's independence through non-violent means inspired a movement that led to the country's freedom from British colonial rule.

3. Lee Kuan Yew (Singapore):

 Example: Lee's ambition for transforming Singapore from a small, underdeveloped nation into a global economic powerhouse resulted in rapid economic growth, modernization, and prosperity.

4. Queen Elizabeth II (United Kingdom):

 Example: Queen Elizabeth's dedication to her role as a constitutional monarch has provided stability and continuity to the United Kingdom for decades, fostering national unity.

Conclusion

These examples demonstrate how ambition can drive rulers to either harm or benefit society and their country, depending on the principles and values that guide their actions.