The Psychology of Power: Why Societies Must Understand the “Pathocracy” Threat
Power is a form of collective self-deception.
Science, at its core, is a tool for navigating life’s complexities.Good science provides “useful guidance,” built on evidence and organized into theories – essentially, “maps of the terrain.” These maps aren’t perfect, but they allow for prediction: understanding cause and effect, and anticipating outcomes based on observed patterns. Psychology, as the science of mind and behavior, applies this same principle to the human condition.
The power of psychological science lies in its ability to predict, with varying degrees of certainty, how individuals will act under specific conditions. While absolute precision is unattainable, psychologists can confidently identify probabilities. Such as,while predicting which individual with depression will attempt suicide is impossible,it is demonstrably true that people experiencing depression are at a considerably higher risk than those who are not. This isn’t about deterministic fate, but about recognizing patterns and understanding risk factors.
This probabilistic approach extends to understanding motives, which often remain obscured even to those experiencing them. as one analyst noted, “All our science can do is look for converging evidence that points to a plausible clarification for a person’s behavior and rule out other explanations.” It’s about assessing the likelihood of different scenarios, much like surmising a hidden pump when witnessing water flow uphill.
Crucially, these predictions aren’t limited to individual behavior. Psychologists are increasingly applying their understanding to the realm of leadership and political science, with possibly alarming implications. public figures, by virtue of their visibility, provide a wealth of data for analysis. Examining the habits,tendencies,and speech patterns of leaders can reveal underlying psychological profiles.
Take, for instance, the case of Donald Trump. Psychologists have observed recurring displays of grandiosity (“I have the best words”), impulsivity (“grab them by the pussy”), and vindictive rage (“I hate my opponents”) – behaviors consistent with narcissistic tendencies. Individuals exhibiting this profile typically display a sense of entitlement, a need for admiration, and a lack of empathy, often responding to criticism with anger and retribution.
however, the concern extends far beyond a single individual. Social scientists have identified a pattern across history,analyzing “strongmen” – from Roman emperor Caligula to modern figures like Vladimir Putin and Viktor Orbán – who share similar psychological profiles. This research reveals a “well-studied and established roadmap” of consequences.
under such leadership,societies are likely to drift toward authoritarianism.Governance becomes driven by the leader’s psychological needs rather than the dictates of reality, prioritizing self-image and the persecution of perceived enemies. Cycles of rage and retaliation escalate, leading to conflict, scandal, and institutional degradation.
Polish psychologist Andrew Lobaczewski,having lived under the regimes of Hitler and Stalin,coined the term “pathocracy” to describe a system were narcissistic individuals assume positions of power. According to Lobaczewski, pathocrats actively work to “dismantle and discredit democratic institutions, including the freedom and legitimacy of the press.”
The consequences of pathocracy are far-reaching. Risky, impulsive decisions increase, truth is subordinated to loyalty, and competence is disregarded in favor of allegiance. In the long term, societies under such leadership are likely to experience democratic retreat, political violence, economic instability, and fractured international relations.
Failing to acknowledge these predictable patterns, one expert argues, is a risky form of self-deception.It’s akin to ignoring a physician’s warning signs – a middle-aged, overweight smoker with blurred vision and fatigue – simply because the doctor isn’t your doctor, and the symptoms might be benign.
It’s your choice. But it is not your best choice.
