The intense, heady rush of
euphoria that some
people experience when acquiring additional
recognition,
rights,
responsibilities and/or
authority. Extremely
addictive to those
personalities which can experience it. This state can sometimes be achieved vicariously through
roleplaying games and
fiction.
The addictive qualities of the "power trip" are most likely those which lead persons in positions of power to seek more and more at any cost, thus leading to the idea that power corrupts. Contrary to popular belief, however, it is possible to maintain a power trip while also behaving in an ethical fashion; one just has to be really good at politics.