Narcissists and Short-Sighted Political Policies

     Do you worry about short-sighted political policies, and the way they affect your life?

     Throughout human history, politics has been a magnet for narcissists. It offers them so many advantages: power, money, privilege of all kinds, and most of all, status and admiration.

     Around the world, brash narcissistic dictators stand out. Even in western democracies, narcissists are attracted to a political culture with appealing privileges and benefits.

     If, like me, you are frustrated, infuriated and worried about political policies that are short-sighted, that ignore facts and evidence (e.g. Howard's response to climate change), that promote divisiveness over unity and cooperation, suspicion and mistrust over compassion, and destructiveness over healing and dialogue, look for the narcissists.

     Big egos, resistance to change, ruthlessness and dishonesty are not just the foibles of high achievers; neither are they the admirable qualities of go-getters. These are the symptoms of a serious pathology. It is important for the public to understand and identify what it sees rather than feel dismayed and puzzled by it.

     Narcissistic leaders can give a whole society a narcissistic flavor by promoting and advancing those who are like them. The most obvious signs of a narcissistic society are a strong focus on grandness, appearances and public spectacles, disregard for rules and laws, and an empty confusing rhetoric at the expense of real substance. A narcissistic government would spend a lot of money and time publicizing its achievements, real or imaginary. Under narcissistic leaders reality begins to mix with fiction. Real information about what is going on is covered up.

     If we want to live in a compassionate, benevolent and rational society, based on dialogue and inclusiveness rather than fear and divisiveness, and if we want to have a long-term view of problem-solving, we must ensure that we do not elect narcissistic leaders.

     A rational way to obstruct narcissists is to reform our political system. A humbler political system is needed. It should cover the essentials. It should be caring, transparent, truly accountable and operate in a genuine spirit of service to the people. Such a political system is unlikely to attract narcissists because they will not find in it benefits and rewards they so covet.

Susan Feiszli