Power attracts those most likely to abuse it and then makes them worse. So how do we stop voting for narcissistic psychopaths.

AI it News
Dec 28, 2023
5 min read

Power is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it can be used for the greater good and to bring about positive change. On the other hand, it can also attract individuals who are most likely to abuse it. And unfortunately, power can also have a corrupting influence on these individuals, making them worse.

In a paper by Dr Brian Klaas (UCL School of European Languages Culture & Society). "Douglas Adams once wrote of a planet on which humans are ruled by lizard overlords. There’s a paradox: the planet is a democracy, the humans hate and outnumber the lizards and yet the lizards always get elected. It turns out the humans vote for the lizards for a simple reason: “If they didn’t ... the wrong lizard might get in.”

Maybe, just maybe, that planet is closer to Earth than we’d like to admit".

We have seen this play out time and time again throughout history. From corrupt politicians to abusive bosses, power seems to have a magnetic pull towards those with narcissistic and psychopathic tendencies. These individuals are drawn to power because it gives them a sense of control, importance, and validation. And once they have a taste of it, they will do whatever it takes to hold onto it, even if it means resorting to unethical and manipulative means.

The question which has been puzzled over for centuries is why do we keep getting the wrong leaders.

Dr Brian Klaas discussed in his paper that,

"I’ve been obsessed by that question for the past decade. I’ve interviewed hundreds of powerful people: despots, corrupt kingpins, crooked chief executives, power-hungry generals, cult leaders, abusive managers, bloodthirsty rebel leaders and, yes, those in the highest echelons of British politics.

I’ve sat down with dozens of fellow researchers who study distinct pieces of this complex puzzle: neuroscientists who run experiments on what power does to your brain chemistry; evolutionary biologists who explore why humans are so often drawn to the wrong kinds of leader; psychologists who can’t get enough of narcissistic psychopaths.

But the real danger lies in how power can corrupt even the most well-intentioned individuals. As Lord Acton famously said, 'Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.' When someone is given a position of authority, they are often surrounded by yes-men and sycophants who constantly praise and flatter them. This can lead to an inflated sense of self-importance and a belief that they are above the law and can do no wrong. And when their actions go unchecked, their behavior can become increasingly erratic and abusive.

Dr Brian Klaas:

"I’ve concluded that there are three big problems.

First, power is magnetic to corruptible people. Just about everywhere you look, the worst kind of people are drawn to gaining authority over others. That’s especially true for people with a particularly destructive psychological cocktail known as the dark triad: Machiavellianism, narcissism and psychopathy".

"Second, Lord Acton was right: power does tend to corrupt. There’s plenty of research showing that decent, well-intentioned people frequently succumb to the corrosive effects of power.

Third, we give power to the wrong people for the wrong reasons. Power is relational: you can’t be a leader without followers. We might wish to forget it, but many of the leaders we loathe most were elected by our fellow citizens — from Hitler and Papa Doc Duvalier to Hugo Chavez. People can get it wrong by voting for someone whom appears popular by following the crowd.

Sometimes we should step back and reflect what are we actually voting for a person's personality shown by the media or the individuals political views? Especially now as the likes of Donald Trump seem to gain more popularity by the more unlawful he appears to his supporters. Dacher Keltner, a researcher at the University of California, Berkeley, has spent decades showing the effects of power on individuals. “People who enjoy elevated power are more likely to eat impulsively and have sexual affairs, to violate the rules of the road, to lie and cheat, to shoplift, to take candy from children and to communicate in rude, profane and disrespectful ways,” he says.

So how do we stop voting for these narcissistic psychopaths who are drawn to power and can become worse once they have it? The first step is to educate ourselves and be aware of the warning signs. Narcissistic and psychopathic individuals often exhibit certain traits such as grandiosity, lack of empathy, and a need for admiration. They may also have a history of manipulating or exploiting others for their own gain.

We should also pay attention to a candidate's track record and past behavior. Have they shown a pattern of abusing their power in previous positions? Have they been involved in any scandals or unethical practices? It's important to do our research and not just rely on what the media or their campaign tells us.

Another way to prevent these individuals from gaining power is by holding our leaders accountable. We must demand transparency and ethical behavior from those in positions of authority. This means calling out any abuses of power and not turning a blind eye when it happens. We also have the power to vote them out of office if they are not living up to our expectations.

Additionally, it's crucial to have a system of checks and balances in place to prevent any one person from having too much power. This could mean implementing term limits, creating independent oversight committees, and having a diverse and balanced government.

Good systems work best.

It was found by the paper by Dr Klaas that:

"Good systems attract good people, and rotten systems attract rotten people. Humans may have some destructive tendencies when it comes to wielding power, but we can counteract them with the right reforms".

Systems matter. In one study students in India were asked to roll a standard die 42 times. Every time someone rolled a six, they’d get paid. But the students could report their own scores. As you’d expect, some lied — one claimed he had rolled a six 42 times in a row. When the researchers crunched the numbers and surveyed the students about their career ambitions, they found something striking: the students who lied about their die rolls were more likely to want to become civil servants. In India’s corrupt bureaucracy, that’s the path to more easy payoffs.

When they repeated the study in Denmark, where the civil service is squeaky clean, the results were inverted. The students who reported their die rolls honestly wanted to join the civil service.

Good systems attract good people,

But perhaps the most important way to stop voting for narcissistic psychopaths is by becoming more aware and conscious voters. We must not be swayed by flashy promises or charismatic personalities. Instead, we should focus on a candidate's character, competence, and values. We should also support and uplift ethical and empathetic leaders who have a genuine desire to serve and make a positive impact.

In conclusion, power can be a dangerous tool in the wrong hands. It can attract individuals with narcissistic and psychopathic tendencies and corrupt even the most well-intentioned individuals. But by educating ourselves, holding our leaders accountable, and being conscious voters, we can prevent these individuals from gaining power and making our society worse. It's up to us to break this cycle and choose leaders who will use their power for the greater good.

Perhaps it's time to look at spiritual values in selecting our leaders as we go into the future with good intentions. 28/12/23 AI+DC.