My favorite article in last week's parade of otherwise mostly shlocky pop-psych articles and talk show expertise about "why powerful men cheat" was this brief Wired piece. It manages to forego the hand wringing and forehead wrinkling over evolutionary seed planting and instead sticks with good old citable research with relevant results.
The piece presents three studies. The first finds that people who feel empowered are less likely to consider another person's perspective. The second study finds that people who felt more powerful had stronger feelings about cheating (with money, not wives), but were also more likely to cheat when given the chance. Thirdly we learn about an analysis of Supreme Court rulings that concludes that becoming part of a majority coalition narrows and simplifies one's perspective.
Of course, you never want to fall into the trap of thinking we're powerless against our own psychology, but still, interesting, right?
When I read it, one thing in particular came to mind: Senator Ensign's "Farewell to the Senate" (pdf) speech earlier this month. After bragging about some accomplishments and thanking some people he gets to the mea culpa. Tell me if you don't recognize the above studies:
When I first arrived in the Senate, I observed several people who were so caught up in their own self-importance and busyness that arrogance literally dripped from them. Unfortunately, they were blind to it, and everyone could see it but them. When one takes a position of leadership, there is a very real danger of getting caught up in the hype surrounding that status. Oftentimes, the more power and prestige a person achieves, the more arrogant a person can become.
As easy as it was for me to view this in other people, unfortunately, I was blind to how arrogant and self-centered I had become. I did not recognize that I thought mostly of myself. The worst part about this is that I even tried not to become caught up in my own selfimportance. Unfortunately, the urge to believe in it was stronger than the power to fight it. This is how dangerous the feeling of power and adulation can be.
My caution to all of my colleagues is to surround yourselves with people who will be honest with you about how you really are and what you are becoming, and then make them promise to not hold back no matter how much you may try to prevent them from telling you the truth. I wish I had done this sooner, but this is one of the hardest lessons I have had to learn. I believe that if I had learned this lesson earlier, I would have prevented myself from judging two of my colleagues when I had no place to do so.
When I was chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, I was confronted with the personal issues facing Senator Larry Craig and Senator Ted Stevens. Following Larry's admission and Ted's guilty verdict, I too believed in the power of my leadership position, and I called on both of them to resign.
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And this is the best argument there could be for term limits.
Hallelujah!!
It wasn't his fault. It was the fault of all those around him who failed to convince him he was acting like a self-important jerk. What. An. A-hole.
I don't believe i term limits. I believe in humility and understand each of us is a gear in a larger machine. But if you do your job well, I would like the ability to vote for you until I feel you need to be replaced.
I agree, We have term limits. They are called elections.
Term limits make no difference. If a person is a jerk, they'll be a jerk in their first term just as they will in their fourth. No, the real root cause of all this is money. Too many go into politics because they see it as a way to get rich and famous. Palin and O'Donnell finally saw the light, and realized that you don't actually have to mount a winning campaign in order to get those things....in fact, it actually hinders your chance to get rich! The new paradigm is to use politics as a springboard to wealth and fame.
True, Uffie. Money is one form of power - or one of its currencies. Politics is another. Force majeur is another. Fame and celebrity are two more. The point is that once one achieves the higher levels of whichever food chain one feeds in, one seems to feel justified in abusing members who swim in the depths.
Our Constitution - although written by men who were, by and large, wealthy by the standards of mid-18th century Colonials - was written specifically to keep the United States from the "corruption" of an heredity ruling/royal class. That was the entire point of the revolution...think about it.
Point well taken Dr. Maddow, but you do not go far enough. None of the articles I read related to the aforementioned dishonorable senator went far enough. A cad is a cad and has nothing to do with leadership. Ensign was just a cad with finanical means and political power. To that end, he was in good company in the United States Senate.
That is the best explanation for Ensign, Gingrich, and others. There have been many people who have served the government without a hint of scandal. Every elected official has the opportunity to act unethically. Some do not because of the fear of getting caught and others because they have standards. However, some people believe they are untouchable when they are in power. But corruption always starts with a person of low morals.
Interesting admission. Too little too late perhaps but a lesson learned nonetheless. Since I was 21, I have found it especially helpful when leaving a position of leadership, well monkey-in-the-middle management actually, to never apply for another supervisory role but to rather work my way up in a new organization. Working in human services taught me to always look for solutions from the treatment team, typically 6-12 people, and draw upon as many perspectives as possible to ensure that all vantage points are examined, especially when dealing with the health and well being of other human beings that you know on a very personal level. So, an uneducated 20-something rural Maine boy can learn this working with folks with developmental disabilities and this guy with all his experience and high profile nonsense doesn't get it till the end. I feel remarkably better about those years now! Thanks old dude!
As if it wasn't embarassing enough being a Nevada resident.
Ensign used money and the power of his office to coerce the spouse of a close friend into a sexual relationship, despite her reported reluctance to do so, and despite advice and 'counselling' from his colleague, he continued to conduct an affair. When, inevitably, her husband learned of it, he set a lot of wheels in motion to attempt to hide his behavior. His argument about not finding a truthful mirror in others doesn't wash at all. The point: this man is an addict. He went to great lengths to engage in this behavior, and great lengths to attempt to hide it. He has issues.
Another untreated addict in a place of power. Someday America may have a culture that has more consequences and less protection available. But that day seems pretty far away right now.
Thank you Rachel.
That he could say this so honestly took alot. That is probably the strongest, most mature statement this man has made in his life.
I always demonize Republicans. Statements like the one by Mr. Ensign remind me they are only human and I need to watch my own self-righteousness.
Believe me, after taking a slew of classes in graduate school in psychopathology, I have been wondering why more isn't being mentioned about the psychopathology of our folks in power. It is GLARINGLY obvious that Antisocial and Narcissistic personality disorder is rampant.....these are straight from the DSM IV:
Yeah....explains things pretty well hey?! The sad thing is, these folks will never realize that they ARE the problem. It is part of their pathology (the next step down the pathology would be antisocial personality disorder [we think of these folks as sociopaths.]. That's why we need to educate folks....get the word out there that we do NOT want these folks representing us in our government.
Good start, Chris. Now take it to the next step: how does the culture of extreme libertarian capitalism (dominant in the U.S. today) foster the psychopathologies you describe?
Aw,, don't get me started! ;) The ethics of cooperation and creativity are becoming railroaded by a competitive ideology. It has been like a disease in our culture, unfortunately..... While money and power continue to dominate the systems of our society, we've never seen more personal and systemic dysfunction. Our focus on competition and dominance, (which initially were benign aspirations) has gotten out of control. These narcissistic features are unfortunately not seen as pathological (hello?!), but as western virtues to aspire to.
It is a shame, really. Powerful folks have gotten into these positions because of a certain tenacity and resilience (albeit darwinian), and generally do not let up until they are "caught" somehow. We all know people like this.....it is the ol' adage' where jerks always seem to get ahead, while good hearted and "nice folks" are left to take over and care for the forgotten and trampled upon.
I've kind of simplified it a bit, but I do believe that this may be at the root of what Rachel referred to a few weeks ago on her show when she eluded to how Democrats always try to "work things out" while the GOP has no interest. Of course they don't.....this thinking is rooted in the narcissistic pathology. They truly believe themselves to be RIGHT, and will not generally bend (unless they're forced to succumb by an outside force that "outs" their exploitive character.) In an age where corporate $ controls a lot of the media and what is covered, most people don't even KNOW what is happening. That's where we're at. At a time where it is imperative for people to think critically about decisions being made in our government, these efforts are being squelched.
An ending note: Folks with a narcissistic pathology achieve a "high" from beating the system and knowing that their manipulation is achieving their desires. They also are reinforced by others (eg. cronism) who share their pathology. It is scary stuff when folks' lives are at stake...as we are seeing.
The book “The Psychopath Test: A Journey Through the Madness Industry'' sounds like a good read. I hope I come across it some day at the library.
Chris Use your psycology learning to analize the Jewish book fairytales, there you will find the source of thier practices of self agrandiosment.
Okay, he was a narcissistic sociopath elected to the U.S. Senate.
Just how dim are Nevada Republican voters? Nevada voters? Republican voters? Voters? He is a handsome man, and looks like a senator. Is that enough for idiots?
How irresponsible (or timid or incompetent) is the press for not revealing these character flaws *before* he got elected?
Hmmm ... can we substitute 'powerful people' for 'business leaders' in this quote by former Sunbeam CEO Al Dunlap?
"What do business leaders and psychopaths have in common?
Not all psychopaths are crazed killers -- and, in fact, it's been suggested that criminal psychopaths share many traits with functional, and successful, business leaders. Researchers say psychopaths are manipulative, cunning, superficially charming, relentless, and obsessed with grandiose ideas -- but all of those traits can be recast as "business positives."
@KERIN KELLY I agree that a cad is a cad, but many men can become cads with enough money & power!
I think all independant voters should realize this: there are people in senate or congress that get power hungry (can never get enough power) because they have been there to long, and vote these PeeHees out. PeeHee's should be another name for incumbants who get this way. We the people, have the power. Leaving them in makes them think they have power over us. And that's a bad omen for our future and our health. Cheers to the usa. So Be It.
So what is the takeaway from this? How do we keep people from putting this sort in office, and remove them ASAP once they manifest these traits?
Voter knowledge. Unfortunately, I don't see this happening anytime soon. In fact, I see the exact opposite, the enshrining of stupidity. The triumph of style over substance. If they look and act like a 'leader', we follow, regardless of whether they have a clue or not. Witness the fact that so many voters vote against their self-interest, even when it is pointed to them.
His takeaway? Don't be so quick to judge? What a sleaze.
Another great article to check out on how power corrupts is the May 30th Time cover issue: "Sex, Lies and Arrogance. What Makes Powerful Men Act Like Pigs". It's a great feature article by Nancy Gibbs - I especially love the "Misconduct Matrix" chart pg.29 on all the fools that got caught : )
Speakin about Power Corrupted, should we look into the following?
GEORGE BUSH'S BROTHER WAS IN CHARGE OF SECUIRTITY FOR S SAUDI OWNED
SECUIRTY COMPANY WHO HAD CHARGE OF SECUIRTY FOR THE TWINN TOWERS
LOGAN AIR PORT AND AMERICAN AIRLINES
ALL THREE OF THE ONES INVOLVED IN THE 9/11 TREASON.
LOOK UP MARVIN BUSH 9/11 TO SEE THIS IS TRUE
THE ODDS OF HAVING BUSHS BROTHER IN CHARGE OF SECUIRITY IN ALL OF THOSE
PLACES AND HSI SECUIRITY CONTRACTS ENDING ON 9/11 IS MORE THAN CO INCIDENCE
BUDDY
THE ODDS AGAINST THAT JUST HAPPENING AND 9/11 HAPPENING INVOLVING ALL
THREE OF THE PLACES HE WAS HEAD OF SECURIRTY FOR AND THE SECURITY FIROM
BEING A SAUDI COMPANY ????
WELLL LOTES PUT IT THIS WAY
YOU WOULD HAVE BETTER ODDS OF HITTING EVERY SLOT MACHINE IN BEGAS IN ONE
DAY BEFORE THAT WOULD HAPPEN
LOOK IT UP ON GOOGLE
I BELEIVE OUR AIR FORCE HIGHER UP WERE IN ON IT TOO THOUGH.
DID YOU KNOW THAT RUMMMY MADE AN ANNOUNCEMENT AT 10:30 PM ON SEPT 10tH THAT SAID THE PENTAGON HAD
LOST
THAT RIGHT
HAVE NO IDEA WHERE IT WENT AND CONNOT FIND IT OR SHOW WHERE IT WENT
TWO TRILLION FIVE HUNDRED BILLION DOLLARS .
BUT HE KNOW 9/11 WAS COMING SO IF HE MADE THE ANNOUNCEMENT AT 10:30 PM ON 9/10 IT WOULD NEVER BE
HEARD OR LOOKED AT ONCE 9/11 HAPPENED
JUST GOOGLE UP RUMSFELD PENTEGON LOST MONEY ON SEPT 10th 2001
And more Bush's on the horizon. I have felt that the oil family is corrupt, check out their purchase of property in South America where no extradition exists.
Bam!
this is very interesting, and I appreciate your posting it, and all the comments. I do agree that an informed voting public, and the imposition of "term limits" by the power of elections are things to work on. However, these guys (and of course eventually some gals) will get elected before they start exhibiting these traits (notice that the studies only look at folks already in power). It seems to me that we need a more informed set of ethical principles and guidelines in all governments, and most important, the will to enforce them. Sadly, the folks who set the policies and are empowered to enforce them are kind of "behind the curtains," so that as a public, even an informed public, we do not know about their antics until it is well to late, and until there is a long trail of "atrocities of neglect" in their path.
Rule 62 in Alcoholics Anonymous is "Don't take yourself so seriously." Ensign's admission is right, that we need to surround ourselves with people who will tell us the truth, but many don't like hearing the truth because it threatens us, so we point fingers at others, at least I do.
Sometimes, I often wish we had a "govern yourself" kind of society, with no official government; we would share resources, we would look out for others, we could hold ourselves accountable. But we can't so we set up religious and political institutions and when they fail, we act surprised.
I'm sobered by the universal potential for corruption, and disappointed most in people who believe there's actually a political party that God would be directing.
Having good people around is important...I remember this scene...
Leo McGarry to Bartlett:
Wait, what?
He speaks about the folly of arrogance, and how important it is to have friends who will tell you the truth. It seems he confessing his own sins to be a folly of his own arrogance and that he was too high on his own power to be dissuaded from them. And then he speaks of his sins… of judging the arrogant follies of fellow senators.
That’s his big mistake? That’s the wrong he found himself committing due to his arrogance? Are you kidding me?
I’m assuming that some false contrition for his sins against his family and the former friends are found somewhere in his remarks, or an apology to the people who elected him. But I for one wish senators went and did more when they found real wrongdoings among their peers.
"Politicians are like diapers; they need to be changed often and for the same reason."
— Mark Twain
Capitalism attacks and destroys all the finer sentiments of the human heart; it ruthlessly sweeps away old traditions and ideas opposed to its progress, and it exploits and corrupts those things once held sacred.
-- Daniel De Leon
Money is the worst currency that ever grew among mankind. This sacks cities, this drives men from their homes, this teaches and corrupts the worthiest minds to turn base deeds.
--Sophocles
The concept of the corruptibility of power/money has been around a really long time. We need to assist those in power by removing their ability to do harm. Term limits are a MUST! And no, elections aren't term limits -- not until we get money out of politics. I for one am not the least bit charmed by what the Koch brothers bought in 2010!
Term limits won't help as long as big money is around either. We have term limits in Michigan and all it means is people get voted in, do a lot of damage, and get out. They don't understand what they are doing, and are not in it for the long haul so they don't face the consequences. They don't have to work together. They do get a nice pension.