Narcissism and Politics: Dreams of Glory

by Jerrold M. Post

Overview

In this age of narcissism, the proliferation of politicians with significant narcissistic personality features is dramatic. Driven by dreams of glory, they seem to find the spotlight that the arena of politics provides irresistible. This book analyzes narcissism and politics and systematically explores the psychology of narcissism - the entitlement, the grandiosity and arrogance overlying insecurity, the sensitivity to criticism, and the hunger for acclaim - illustrating different narcissistic personality features through a spectrum of international and national politicians. It addresses the power of charismatic leader-follower relationships, as well as the impact of age and illness on leaders driven by dreams of glory.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781316093825
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	11/17/2014
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	812 KB

About the Author

Dr Jerrold M. Post is Professor of Psychiatry, Political Psychology and International Affairs and director of the Political Psychology Program at George Washington University, Washington DC. Dr Post previously worked with the Central Intelligence Agency, where he was the founding director of the Center for the Analysis of Personality and Political Behavior. He played the lead role in developing the Camp David profiles of Menachem Begin and Anwar Sadat for President Jimmy Carter and initiated the US government program for the study of the psychology of terrorism. In recognition of his leadership at the center, Dr Post was awarded the Intelligence Medal of Merit in 1979. He received the Nevitt Sanford Award from the International Society of Political Psychology in 2002 for distinguished professional contributions to political psychology. He has testified before the Senate and the House on his political psychology profile of Saddam Hussein and on the psychology of terrorism, and he has presented to the UN International Atomic Energy Agency on the psychology of weapons-of-mass-destruction terrorism. He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences' Committee on Deterrence in the 21st Century.

Table of Contents

1. Narcissism in full bloom; 2. Dreams of glory and narcissistic rage; 3. Great expectations; 4. Daughters of destiny I - Indira Gandhi; 5. Daughters of destiny II - Benazir Bhutto; 6. Narcissism and the charismatic leader-follower relationship; 7. Self objects: the special role of wives and the inner circle; 8. Narcissism, entitlement, sex, and power; 9. An exceptional exception: the rise and fall of Italy's Silvio Berlusconi; 10. Phallic narcissism in the governor's mansion; 11. The impact of illness and age on narcissistic leaders; 12. Seeking immortality: dictators and their progeny; 13. Leaders by default: second-choice sons; Conclusion.

Editorial Reviews

"Post is a pioneer in the field of political-personality profiling."
Jane Mayer, writer for The New Yorker

"In Narcissism and Politics: Dreams of Glory, Jerrold Post skilfully knits together in-depth knowledge of psychoanalytic studies of the vicissitudes of self-esteem and the life stories of prominent people. An exceptional value of Post’s treatment is the balanced view he presents of the adaptive or maladaptive aspects of narcissism and their benevolent or destructive influences on human development and leadership success. And a great plus for the reader is the stories - well told of example after example. The result is a book highly recommended to both a professional and a general readership."
Joseph D. Lichtenberg, Founder and Director Emeritus, Institute of Contemporary Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis

"Few scholars combine the clinical training, theoretical depth, and policy experience necessary to analyze the pervasive role of narcissism in political life. Jerrold Post does. If you read just one book on the subject, it should be his."
Stanley Renshon, City University of New York

"Humans need narcissism, self-love, like they need bread and water. Some people, for personal reasons, exaggerate their narcissistic needs. In this book, Jerrold M. Post, who has spent decades analyzing the personality of political and military leaders with exaggerated and even malignant narcissism, illustrates the significance of his work for understanding leader-follower relationships and world affairs. This is a most fascinating and informative book on this topic."
Vamık Volkan, author of Enemies on the Couch: A Psychopolitical Journey through War and Peace

'Jerrold M. Post is an authority in the field of political profiling and in this book he presents an overview of narcissism in politics. … this book remains a must-read for everyone who is interested in a different view on international politics. Post is a pioneer and proves in this book that he still has a lot to contribute to the field of political psychology.' Annelien van Remoortere, Politics, Culture and Socialization

From the Publisher