# Power and Corruption in Short Fiction

> Theme guide for Short Fiction by Mack Reynolds.

The book depicts how political, economic, and military elites (Uppers, Party officials, corporate heads) perpetuate their power through manipulation, bribery, and violence, often at the expense of the lower classes and societal progress.

## Where it surfaces

- [Tourists to Terra](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_36_se/chapters/tourists-to-terra): Captain Foren prioritizes profit and passenger satisfaction over ethical concerns, willing to disrupt planetary development.
- [Not in the Rules](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_36_se/chapters/not-in-the-rules): Diplomats and judges manipulate rules and customs to serve political ends, as seen in the tribunal's initial hostility and eventual acceptance of Jak's tactics.
- [Mercy Flight](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_36_se/chapters/mercy-flight): The media and corporate interests (Terra-Luna Spaceways) exploit Mooney's story for profit and publicity, revealing the corrupting influence of power and fame.
- [Halftripper](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_36_se/chapters/halftripper): Joseph's absolute control over Calypso leads to a tragic decision that sparks a revolution and personal loss.
- [Potential Enemy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_36_se/chapters/potential-enemy): The military's absolute authority and paranoia are depicted through the court martial of Captain Post, where SupSpaceCom Michell insists that any alien is a potential enemy, justifying preemptive destruction.
- [Off Course](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_36_se/chapters/off-course): Earth's political leaders attempt to control the narrative around the alien's arrival, fearing it will destabilize governments and social systems.
- [The Galactic Ghost](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_36_se/chapters/the-galactic-ghost): Nations and groups vie for control of the colonization process, revealing deep-seated prejudices.
- [Happy Ending](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_36_se/chapters/happy-ending): The former dictator's obsession with control and hatred, even in exile, shows how power corrupts and isolates.
- [Unborn Tomorrow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_36_se/chapters/unborn-tomorrow): The future's control over the space-time continuum prevents any alteration of the past, demonstrating an unseen power that enforces the status quo.
- [Summit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_36_se/chapters/summit): Both leaders admit they maintain power by perpetuating conflict, with Vovo stating his organization cannot survive without a 'blood bath' if tensions end.
- [Revolution](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_36_se/chapters/revolution): The revolutionaries critique the Soviet dictatorship's ruthlessness and the Western arms economy, while themselves grappling with the corrupting need to retain nuclear weapons.
- [The Coordinator's Charge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_36_se/chapters/i): The Coordinator warns Mayer and Plekhanov that they will wield godlike power over millions, with no oversight for fifty years, highlighting the immense potential for corruption.
- [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_36_se/chapters/ii): The debate over planned vs. free economies reflects concerns about power structures and potential corruption in guiding societies.
- [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_36_se/chapters/iii): Plekhanov and Chessman discuss how ruling cliques (priests, slave-owners, barons) resist change to maintain power, and the Earth team imposes its will on Texcoco with arrogant authority.
- [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_36_se/chapters/iv): The barons' arbitrary tolls, bribes, and threats illustrate the corrupt exercise of power, which Mayer seeks to replace with merchant-led competition.
- [The Conference of the Divided Teams](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_36_se/chapters/v): Both teams manipulate native economies and withhold life-extending technology to maintain control, revealing the corrupting influence of absolute power.
- [The Valley of Decision](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_36_se/chapters/vi): Plekhanov's earlier decision to arm untrustworthy mercenaries leads to mutiny and near-disaster, highlighting the corrupting influence of power.
- [The War Decision](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_36_se/chapters/vii): Amschel Mayer's ruthless decision to break subordinates and start a war to maintain control illustrates the corrupting influence of unchecked power.
- [The Decade's Reckoning](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_36_se/chapters/viii): The Texcocan team's militarization, loss of dissenting members, and use of communes to control labor reflect the corrupting influence of absolute power.
- [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_36_se/chapters/ix): Chessman's murder of Reif and the Earthmen's cynical sacrifice of their own leader illustrate how power corrupts and leads to betrayal for self-preservation.
- [The Fortieth Year Conference](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_36_se/chapters/x): The conference reveals corruption on both sides: Kennedy's drunkenness and loose talk, the purge of Chessman, and the imprisonment of Mayer due to financial overreach.
- [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_36_se/chapters/xi): The removal of nuclear fission data and the hostile exchange reveal how power dynamics corrupt the original mission, with each side withholding knowledge for strategic advantage.
- [Chapter XII: The Reckoning at Rigel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_36_se/chapters/xii): The Earth teams' addiction to power and their corrupt administration are directly challenged by the Rigellians, who cite Lord Acton's maxim.
- [Combat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_36_se/chapters/combat): The Soviet bureaucracy's control over information and its classless society facade are critiqued by Paco and Loo.
- [Medal of Honor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_36_se/chapters/medal-of-honor): The Medal of Honor grants Don immense power and immunity, which he uses to confront and dismantle a corrupt corporate scheme.
- [Freedom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_36_se/chapters/freedom): Blagonravov uses his authority to suppress dissent through imprisonment and murder; the Party maintains control through fear and discipline.
- [Ultima Thule](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_36_se/chapters/ultima-thule): Section G's secret manipulation of planetary societies for their own ends, justified as necessary progress, raises questions about the ethics of such power.
- [Chapter I: The Tuareg and the Reporter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_36_se/chapters/i): Johnny McCord criticizes the upper echelons of the Commission for issuing impractical directives while field workers bear the real burden.
- [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_36_se/chapters/iii): McCord's authority over the reforestation project and his control over Hélène's access to operations reflect power dynamics; the threat of funding cuts and political skepticism hints at systemic corruption.
- [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_36_se/chapters/iv): The Commission's authority to destroy livestock and displace Tuareg reflects power imbalances and questionable ethics.
- [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_36_se/chapters/v): Colonial interests and sabotage threaten the Commission's long-term vision for the Sahara.
- [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_36_se/chapters/i): Baron Haer's control over Vacuum Tube Transport and the family's fear of losing the firm illustrate power dynamics and corruption.
- [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_36_se/chapters/ii): Upper caste commanders abandon Joe in a previous fracas to negotiate with the enemy, illustrating corruption in the system.
- [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_36_se/chapters/iv): Joe reflects on how the Party hierarchy in the Sov-world and the Uppers in the West-world both control resources for their own benefit, highlighting systemic corruption.
- [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_36_se/chapters/vii): Balt Haer's casual dismissal of Mauser's heroics and the manipulation of military rank for caste preservation expose the corruption within the power structure.
- [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_36_se/chapters/viii): The command hierarchy is strained as Balt Haer and his father dismiss Mauser's initiative, revealing how authority can stifle unconventional ideas.
- [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_36_se/chapters/ix): Marshal Cogswell manipulates the Sov-world attaché to investigate Joe, and his forces are positioned for a surprise attack, showing the corrupt use of power.
- [The Glider Revolution](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_36_se/chapters/x): Baron Haer's use of advanced technology to gain an unfair advantage highlights the corrupting influence of power.
- [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_36_se/chapters/xi): The Haer family's financial mismanagement and broken promises reflect the corrupting influence of wealth and power.
- [Subversive](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_36_se/chapters/subversive): The Bureau of Economic Subversion uses secret police tactics to suppress economic dissent, revealing the corrupt enforcement of a wasteful system.
- [The Common Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_36_se/chapters/the-common-man): Crowley's pursuit of wealth and political power through the Common Man Party, using insider trading and coercion, illustrates the corrupting influence of power.
- [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_36_se/chapters/i): Soligen's proposal to bribe media and manipulate public perception reveals the corrupt intersection of media, money, and military status.
- [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_36_se/chapters/ii): Joe's willingness to use cunning and ruthlessness to achieve Upper status reflects the corrupting influence of power.
- [The Marshal's Predicament](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_36_se/chapters/vi): Cogswell criticizes the United Miners union for being run by officials who enrich themselves through contracts, rather than benefiting members.
- [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_36_se/chapters/ix): Cogswell's manipulation of historical tactics and his authority over the staff highlight the corrupting influence of military power.
- [The Glider Gambit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_36_se/chapters/x): Mauser's smuggling of a machine gun and the Sov-world's political maneuvering over aircraft use reveal the corruption underlying the fracas system.
- [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_36_se/chapters/xi): The Disarmament Commission's ruling strips Joe of rank and status, highlighting the corrupting influence of power and the rigid caste system.
- [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_36_se/chapters/xviii): The duel is revealed as a political frame-up orchestrated by those in power to eliminate Joe Mauser.
- [XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_36_se/chapters/xx): The duel is a formalized, sanctioned violence that reflects the power structures and corruption within the Sov officer caste.
- [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_36_se/chapters/xxi): Kossuth's candid admission that the Party will do anything to maintain power, including assassination, and his description of the Party as a self-perpetuating hierarchy.
- [The Trap is Sprung](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_36_se/chapters/ii): Gubelin and Girard-Perregaux use underhanded tactics (hiring an operative to bankrupt Si) to force him back into service, showing institutional corruption.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_36_se/themes/power_and_corruption
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_36_se/themes