A Clear and Present Danger: Narcissism in the Era of President Trump

by Steven Buser (Editor), Len Cruz (Editor), Jean Shinoda Bolen (Contribution by)

Overview

President Trump's victory in 2016 stunned the world and unleased a new era in U.S. politics. Donald Trump often embodies the opposite of what many expect from a president, making it difficult for even Republican leaders to know how to respond to him. From his stubborn refusal to release his tax returns to the unprecedented cordiality he displayed to Vladimir Putin despite compelling evidence of Russia's tampering with the 2016 election, President Trump has proven to be a shadowy figure who many, including Richard Reich, feared would consolidate power like a demagogue. His brazen, overly self-confident manner is a lightning rod for those who think anything that changes the old order is welcomed and is a warning of a clear and present danger for those who oppose him. Since taking office President Trump's personality and its potential impact upon world affairs has become a central focus for many.

Narcissism is epidemic and as Dr. Tom Singer points out, President Trump is "carrying around the longest selfie stick in the world."

A Clear and Present Danger: Narcissism in the Era of President Trump assembles thoughtful, deep explorations of narcissism by bestselling authors, university professors, and practicing clinicians. The narcissist often demands that the world conform to their image in order to sustain unending adulation and praise. They are capable of viscous and cold-hearted retaliation when their image is impugned. Narcissism demands to be mirrored and refuses to be challenged. Readers may recognize narcissistic features in people they know from work, the home, the entertainment industry, and politics. President Trump's supporters as well as his detractors may be left asking how narcissistic traits manifest in someone who becomes President of the United States of America.

"Every country has the government it deserves," said Alexis de Tocqueville, author of Democracy in America. The contributors share a hope that these essays will become a mirror for the reader and for a nation called to examine itself. In the end, as Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estés reminds us, "We were made for times like these."

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781630514143
Publisher:	Chiron Publications
Publication date:	02/02/2017
Edition description:	Revised ed.
Pages:	300
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.67(d)

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Dedication vi

Acknowledgments vii

Disclaimer from the Publisher viii

Introduction to Narcissistic Personality Disorder ~ Leonard Cruz, MD, and Steven Buser, MD ix

The Goldwater Rule: Crossing the Border of Assessing Public Figures ~ Leonard Cruz, MD, and Steven Buser, MD xiii

Section 1: Opening Thoughts

Post Trump-matic Stress Disorder & other Psychological Aftermath from President’s Trump’s Victory ~ Steven Buser, MD 3

Commentary on Post Trump-matic Stress Disorder ~ Leonard Cruz, MD 11

Section 2: Narcissism in the Era of President Trump

President Trump and the American Selfie: Archetypal Defenses of the Group Spirit ~ Tom Singer, MD 17

Fascist Style in Narcissistic Fashion ~ John McClain, PhD 49

Healthy Presidential Narcissism: Is that Possible? ~ Nathan Schwartz-Salant, PhD 61

Trumplethinskin: Narcissism & the Will to Power ~ Leonard Cruz, MD 69

The Trump Complex, the John Wayne Archetype and States of National Possession ~ Steven Buser, MD 87

Confident Man or Confidence Man: Is America being conned? ~ Richard Smoot, PsyD 91

Waking Up! Malignant Narcissism: How Bluebeard and Hitler Came To Power ~ Clarissa Pinkola Estés, PhD 99

The Trump Phenomena ~ Thomas Patrick Lavin, PhD 115

Section 3: Personal Narcissism

Narcissism in the Home ~ Nancy Swift Furlotti, PhD 131

The Hall of Mirrors: Narcissism and Celebrity in the World of Twitter and Reality TV ~ Kathryn Madden, PhD 145

Narcissism and the Masculine ~ James Wyly, PsyD 159

Narcissism and Social Media: Eros Held Hostage ~ Eve Maram, PsyD 173

Section 4: Archetypal Narcissism

Narcissus’s Forlorn Hope: the Fading Image in a Pool too Deep ~ James Hollis, PhD 183

Narcissism in Our Collective Home, Our American Culture ~ Nancy Swift Furlotti, PhD 191

The Wounded Healer: Transformation through Compassion ~ Jean Shinoda Bolen, MD 203

Who Was Narcissus? ~ Alden Josey, PhD 213

The Demonic and Narcissistic Power of the Media in Shakespeare’s Macbeth ~ Susan Rowland, PhD 229

The Opposite of Loneliness is not Togetherness; it is Intimacy ~ Laurence de Rosen, PhD 241

America in the Grip of Alpha Narcissism: The Predator Within and Amongst Each and All of Us ~ Jacqueline West, PhD 253

Section 5: Closing Thoughts

Come, There is Much That We Can Yet Do! ~ Robert Moore, PhD 269

Do Not Lose Heart, We Were Made for These Times 275 ~ Clarissa Pinkola Estés, PhD