Why We Elect Narcissists and Sociopaths―and How We Can Stop

1. High-Conflict Politicians (HCPs) Exhibit Narcissistic and Sociopathic Traits

"High-conflict politicians have the same patterns as HCPs in everyday life, but they have much more power to harm and deceive people on a much larger scale."

Defining characteristics. HCPs display four key traits: preoccupation with blaming others, all-or-nothing thinking, unmanaged emotions, and extreme behaviors. They often exhibit narcissistic traits (drive to be superior, grandiose ideas, fantasies of unlimited power, lack of empathy) and sociopathic traits (drive to dominate, deceitfulness, high aggression, lack of remorse).

Impact on politics. These personality traits make HCPs particularly dangerous in political positions. They are drawn to power and use their charm and persuasiveness to gain support, while lacking the empathy and ethical constraints necessary for responsible leadership. HCPs are always adversarial and endlessly aggressive, constantly seeking to dominate and control others.

Recognition and prevention. Understanding these personality patterns is crucial for voters and political parties to recognize potential HCPs before they gain power. Early warning signs include:

• Constant blaming of others for problems
• Grandiose promises and claims of superiority
• Lack of concrete policy plans
• Aggressive attacks on opponents and critics
• Inability to admit mistakes or show remorse

2. HCPs Use Emotional Warfare and Fantasy Crisis Triads to Gain Power

"HCPs tend to see most crises—whether they are real or invented—in very simple terms: someone or some group is the sole cause (the villain), and that person or group needs to be controlled, removed, or destroyed."

Emotional warfare tactics. HCPs employ a four-step process to manipulate voters:

1. Seduce Negative Advocates
2. Attack Targets of Blame
3. Divide their community
4. Dominate everyone

They use charm and persuasion to build a loyal following, then viciously attack perceived enemies to create an us-vs-them mentality.

Fantasy Crisis Triad. This is a key tool HCPs use to manipulate voters:

1. There's a terrifying crisis!
2. The cause is a hideous villain, who is totally evil and must be destroyed.
3. We need to follow a wonderful hero, who will vanquish the villain and solve the crisis quickly.

HCPs often invent or exaggerate crises, scapegoat a vulnerable group as the villain, and position themselves as the only solution. This simple narrative bypasses voters' critical thinking and appeals directly to emotions.

3. The 4-Way Voter Split: How HCPs Divide and Conquer

"When voters are exposed to the intensity of an HCP Wannabe King's emotional warfare, they tend to split into four groups (based on my observations and reading about historical and current leaders). This helps ensure the Wannabe King's election and domination."

Four voter groups:

1. Loving Loyalists: Devoted followers who support the HCP unconditionally
2. Riled-Up Resisters: Strong opponents who view the HCP as an urgent threat
3. Mild Moderates: Those who see issues in political terms, often ignoring character defects
4. Disenchanted Dropouts: People who dislike politics and don't vote

HCP strategy. By creating intense emotional reactions, HCPs keep these groups divided and fighting each other. This prevents a unified opposition from forming.

Overcoming the split. To defeat an HCP:

• Focus on uniting Resisters, Moderates, and Dropouts
• Avoid attacking Loyalists, which only strengthens their bond with the HCP
• Use factual, assertive communication to counter emotional manipulation
• Emphasize shared concerns and real solutions to bridge divides

4. High-Emotion Media Amplifies HCPs' Influence

"Over the past three decades, the technology of media has undergone a huge change. At least seven seismic shifts have laid the groundwork for the recent increase in HCPs who want to be the center of attention and in charge of everything and everyone in their communities or countries."

Media evolution. Key changes amplifying HCPs:

1. Shift from print to face and voice news (TV, radio, social media)
2. Increased competition among media outlets
3. Focus on high-conflict personalities for ratings
4. 24/7 access to dramatic content
5. Intimate, personal communication from politicians
6. Rapid spread of viral content
7. Reduced ability to think critically due to information overload

Impact on politics. These changes favor HCPs by:

• Allowing direct, emotional appeals to voters
• Rewarding dramatic, conflict-driven narratives
• Spreading misinformation rapidly
• Reducing time for fact-checking and analysis

Combating media manipulation. Strategies include:

• Seeking diverse, reputable news sources
• Prioritizing fact-based reporting over emotional content
• Teaching media literacy and critical thinking skills
• Supporting independent journalism

5. Historical Examples: Hitler, Stalin, and Mao as Prototypical HCPs

"Hitler, Stalin, and Mao routinely killed their closest colleagues to remove any perceived threats."

Common traits. These leaders exemplified HCP characteristics:

• Used emotional warfare to gain power
• Created fantasy crises and scapegoats
• Eliminated opposition through violence
• Demanded absolute loyalty
• Caused immense suffering and death

Hitler's tactics:

• Blamed Jews for Germany's problems
• Used radio and film for propaganda
• Exploited economic hardship and national resentment

Stalin's approach:

• Collectivized farms, causing millions of deaths
• Used purges to eliminate perceived threats
• Controlled media for personality cult

Mao's strategies:

• Launched disastrous Great Leap Forward
• Initiated Cultural Revolution to consolidate power
• Used propaganda to create cult of personality

Lessons learned. These examples show the devastating consequences of allowing HCPs to gain unchecked power, highlighting the importance of recognizing and preventing such leaders from rising to power.

6. Modern HCPs: Putin, Orban, Duterte, Maduro, and Others

"In elections since 2000, several nations have chosen leaders who have viciously attacked fantasy villains within their own countries and structurally attacked their own democratic procedures."

Common patterns. Modern HCPs share traits with historical counterparts:

• Create fantasy crises (e.g., immigrant threats, Western conspiracies)
• Attack democratic institutions and media
• Use populist rhetoric to gain support
• Consolidate power through legal and extra-legal means

Specific examples:

• Putin (Russia): Attacks on opposition, media control, fantasy Western threats
• Orban (Hungary): Anti-immigrant rhetoric, erosion of democratic norms
• Duterte (Philippines): Violent drug war, attacks on critics
• Maduro (Venezuela): Blaming opposition for economic crisis, dismantling democratic institutions

Global implications. The rise of HCPs in multiple countries threatens:

• Democratic norms and institutions
• International cooperation and stability
• Human rights and civil liberties

Prevention strategies:

• Strengthening democratic institutions
• Promoting media literacy and critical thinking
• International cooperation to support democracy
• Recognizing early warning signs of authoritarianism

7. Recognizing and Countering HCP Patterns in Politics

"Keep in mind that people with personality disorders have a narrower pattern of behavior than the average person. In the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Professionals (the DSM-5), this is described as an enduring pattern that is pervasive across many settings in the person's life."

Identifying HCPs. Key warning signs:

• Constant blaming and scapegoating
• Grandiose promises and self-aggrandizement
• Lack of empathy or remorse
• Aggressive attacks on critics and opponents
• Inability to handle criticism or admit mistakes

Screening methods:

1. WEB Method: Watch for patterns in Words, Emotions, and Behavior
2. High-Conflict Politician Scorecard (see Appendix B)
3. 40 Predictable Behaviors of HCPs (see Appendix A)

Countering HCP tactics:

• Focus on facts and policies, not personal attacks
• Expose fantasy crises and provide real context
• Unite diverse voter groups against HCP divisiveness
• Support and protect democratic institutions

Voter education. Teach citizens to:

• Recognize emotional manipulation in politics
• Seek diverse, factual information sources
• Understand the dangers of unchecked HCP leadership
• Prioritize character and competence in leaders

8. Building Relationships and Using Assertive Communication to Combat HCPs

"The key is to present only factual, accurate information, and to do so in a way that is focused, clear, and strong (even forceful), but calm."

Relationship building. Key strategies:

• Show empathy, attention, and respect to all voter groups
• Know your audience and their concerns
• Focus on real issues and solutions, not personal attacks
• Demonstrate strength and energy while remaining calm

Assertive communication. Effective responses to HCPs:

• Be as energetic and present as the HCP
• Use factual repetition to counter emotional manipulation
• Keep messages simple and memorable (e.g., three-beat phrases)
• Respond quickly to misinformation with accurate facts

BIFF Responses. When addressing HCP statements:

• Brief: Keep responses short and to the point
• Informative: Focus on facts and useful information
• Friendly: Maintain a respectful, non-confrontational tone
• Firm: Be clear and confident in your position

Uniting voters. Strategies to overcome HCP divisiveness:

• Build bridges between Resisters, Moderates, and Dropouts
• Avoid attacking Loyalists, which strengthens their bond with the HCP
• Focus on shared concerns and real solutions
• Promote a sense of "us" that includes all citizens

9. Managing Media and Combating Fake News in the HCP Era

"To really deal with the news media and fake news when it seems to be arising, I believe they (the news media) and we should ask the following ten questions:"

Media analysis. Key questions to evaluate news:

1. Is this really true? Is this really a crisis?
2. What is the context? Is this representative or exceptional?
3. What are the numbers/statistics?
4. Do experts agree? Why or why not?
5. Is this a credible news source?
6. What do other news sources say?
7. Is the person or group being blamed really a villain?
8. Is the speaker really a hero?
9. Will the speaker personally benefit from their claims?
10. Is this projection of the speaker's own actions?

Combating fake news:

• Seek diverse, reputable news sources
• Prioritize fact-based reporting over emotional content
• Teach media literacy and critical thinking skills
• Support independent journalism

Media responsibility. News outlets should:

• Focus on facts and context, not just emotions
• Provide in-depth analysis of complex issues
• Avoid amplifying HCP rhetoric without critique
• Hold leaders accountable through investigative reporting

Citizen engagement. Individuals can:

• Critically evaluate news sources and claims
• Share accurate information to counter misinformation
• Support quality journalism through subscriptions and engagement
• Participate in civic discourse based on facts and shared values

Last updated: August 12, 2024