The Political Psyche
More recently a younger group of researchers has sought to turn the question in a slightly different direction, arguing that it's not what people are like before they go into politics that really matters; rather, it's what being in politics does to them. Essentially, these scholars are disciples of Lord Acton and his famous warning that power corrupts. They believe that the more power a leader acquires the more likely he is to treat human beings as objects or instruments and to ignore their personal wishes and needs.
In general I think it's fair to say we don't have a more definitive answer to the underlying question than we did when Harold Lasswell wrote nearly 80 years ago. But there are moments when the sickness vs. sanity issue still forces itself into public attention. We've just been through one of those moments, with the resignation and disgrace of Gov. Spitzer.
What in the world, millions of us asked, could have possessed Spitzer to do what he did: establish a regular relationship with a prostitution ring whose secrecy would be extremely difficult to preserve for any length of time?
In the days immediately following the governor's departure, specialists in political psychology put forward a rich sampling of theories about his downfall. Andrew Hawkins, a reporter for New York's City Hall newspaper, scooped up several of them with little apparent difficulty.
Howard Levine, a political scientist and trained psychologist who works out of SUNY-Stony Brook, argued somewhat charitably that Spitzer's resorting to prostitutes was a search for release from the stress and exhaustion that his governorship had placed upon him. Mark Goulston, a California psychologist who sometimes treats public figures, made it more biological. He believes that politicians develop what amounts to an addiction to adrenaline, that political failure (such as Spitzer's relatively unsuccessful first year as governor) depresses their adrenaline supply and they frequently turn to dangerous sex in an effort to get the adrenaline level back up.
Stanley Renshon, who has been answering questions like this for more than three decades now, doesn't buy any of that. He suggests that Spitzer had been a man of reckless arrogance his entire adult life, that he entered politics in order to pursue power and control, and that achievement of power creates an irrational and risky feeling of entitlement.
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Member Comments
Posted By: JohnPolitico @ 04/16/2008 9:13:26 PM
Comment: Not that anybody cares or should care ... but I have a confession to make as a lifelong Republican:
I'M BITTER!
What the heck's WRONG with being a little bitter about the way our corrupt politicians treat us?! What's wrong with speaking up about it?! How else are we suppose to address various tough and/or sensitive issues that face this country today?
What? Are we all suppose to say or believe that everything's hunky-dory (e.g., economy, Iraq occupation, real estate bust, credit crunch, outrageous gas prices, general inflation, etc)?
How 'bout no! Let's face it ... things kinda do stink right now. But I really hope that people across the nation are really doing something to change things in their communities---RATHER THAN JUST TALKING OR BLOGGING ABOUT IT!
We can't just talk a great game. You gotta take action!
At the very least ... write or call your local senators and congressmen/women often to let them know exactly how you feel. What's important to you! Otherwise, how do you expect them to keep a FINGER ON THE PULSE OF AMERICA? Last time I checked, not one politician owns a magic crystal ball---they can't read minds!
They need to hear from us on a continuous basis. If you really and truly LOVE THIS COUNTRY ... it's your duty and obligation to speak up when you think things are going sour. Don't let the "POLITICAL ELITIST" (e.g. the Klintoonies) and/or MEDIA control your minds. Don't let these elitist that like to throw around words and labels such as "BITTER" discourage you from speaking up.
That's just a ploy to shut you up! Make you feel bad about having an opinion. Sorry folks! But I love this country way too much to bury my head in the sand! If anybody should be bitter it's ALL US REPUBLICANS that have seen our PARTY get HIJACKED BY THE NEOCONS for the past 7 long years!
TALK ABOUT BEING DISENFRANCHISED!
Trust me! Dems aren't the only people that are bitter! Respectfully ...
GOD BLESS AMERICA!
John McCain 2008!
Endnote; I shouldn't paint all politicians with a broad brush ... that's unfair. I would have to say that most politicians are good-hearted people. But all it takes is a FEW BAD APPLES IN HIGH PLACES to spoil the whole darn tree. To all the GOOD POLITICIANS OUT THERE ... please weed out the BAD ONES! Thank you!!!!
Posted By: Illinois Voter @ 04/16/2008 7:00:17 PM
Comment: This year, Equal Pay Day -- the day every year on which women???s wages catch up to men???s wages for the prior year ??? falls on April 22. Although it has been more than 40 years since the Equal Pay Act became law, full-time working women make just .77 cents for every dollar a man makes. And it's even worse for women of color.
The wage gap makes a real difference to families, who lose out on money that could be used to help feed children, put a down payment on a home, and pay for health care.
Hillary Clinton has been a champion for equal pay for women. Her legislation, the Paycheck Fairness Act, would help close the wage gap for women across the country, ultimately putting more money in the pockets of America???s families. Hillary has also worked in the Senate not only to ensure women earn the same amount as men for equal work but also to expand the earned income tax credit, provide healthcare for children, raise the minimum wage, and stand up for female-owned small businesses.
As President, Hillary Clinton would bring to the White House a long record of fighting for women and children -- and holding our government to a higher standard for improving the lives for all families.
Posted By: powin @ 04/16/2008 5:44:48 PM
Comment: OlderBudWeiser wrote, "Should the administration make overtures to working class white southerners who had all but forsaken the Democratic Party?. . . 'Screw 'em,' she told her husband. 'You don't owe them a thing, Bill.'"
Bud,
I hope that HRC wouldn't be so obtuse and crass to say that on her campaign trail. It's shameful if what you said is verifiable and true.
Po