Analysis / Despotism Justifies the Means

It is a natural human desire to seek power. Power is a form of freedom (people generally want control over their own lives) and tends to come with perks like wealth, prestige, security (of a sort — one who has power always has to beware being on the wrong end of a Klingon Promotion), and mates ("Power is the ultimate aphrodisiac"). Power also comes with responsibility, like securing the welfare of one's subjects and defending them from enemies. Where despotism and power-hunger become problematic is when somebody takes power and refuses to use it responsibly, or worse, outright abuses it. (If somebody seeks power specifically with the responsibilities in mind, you're looking for Utopia Justifies the Means.)