The psychology of the despot: evil in political leaders

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There are political leaders today who exercise their authoritarian despotism motivated by what Erich Fromm called malignant narcissism. Only their purposes and interests matter and they are not indifferent to the consequences of the means they use to achieve their objectives.

The psychology of the despot is nourished by an unlimited desire for power. He seeks the blind obedience of others for his purposes, and in their Machiavellian and empathic minds, ethical principles, and even less moral ones, do not exist. Only their desires matter, their desire for greatness, accumulating greater status and preserving absolute leadership that does not hesitate to exercise violence.

These types of personalities, cold as steel, have always existed. Let us remember Erich Fromm when he spoke to us about malignant narcissism in 1964. In an attempt to define the quintessence of evil, the prominent social psychologist of Jewish origin made an analysis of what those figures who led society into a Second World War were like.

This grandiloquent, hostile and antisocial behavior makes up a series of traits known in more than one political leader of our time.

“If man is only capable of generating evil, strict controls should be adopted to prevent the emergence of his destructive attitudes.”

-Erich Fromm-

Despots are characterized by their unlimited desire for power.

Characteristics of the psychology of the despot

Mario Benedetti said that tyrants and despots usually have the bad habit of invading and killing. It is evidence. They are autocratic people who rarely see any limits to their authority and to this end, they do not hesitate to exceed the limits and freedoms of others.

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The psychology of the despot tells us that this behavior is basically defined by trying to impose a single thought on others. Only one’s own will and one’s own arguments matter, and others are expected to assume them at any cost, even if the means to achieve this is violence. This desire for absolute power and the instrumental mechanisms to exercise it brings them closer in some cases to psychopathic megalomania..

Experts on this topic, such as Dr. Manfred FR Kets de Vries, a Dutch psychoanalyst and expert in leadership, carried out interesting work in 2006 aimed at understanding despotic regimes. Something that he specified is that they are expert figures in exercising fear. They not only generate suffering, but also break the moral fabric of a society.. The impact is undoubted and, on average, they follow the pattern that we will now analyze.

They expand their power through corruption

The psychology of the despot tells us that to achieve absolute power they use a clear instrument: corruption. They do not hesitate to undermine the democratic principles of a society to obtain profit, and also impose their ideas on a territory. In addition to obtaining exorbitant economic profits, they do not hesitate to blackmail, threaten and establish a dictatorship of fear.

They make favors and concessions to earn the admiration of others

The despot knows very well how the game of power works. He needs to earn the admiration of the population and to do so he does not hesitate to use his charisma through small concessions. May offer tax reductions or other social benefits, and of course, dominate the television media to entertain and thus capture the masses and justify their authority.

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The objective is none other than to accumulate power by manipulating the minds, hearts and wills of his followers.

They seek powerful allies

Power is not sustained indefinitely only by the admiration or submission of the masses. You need allies, which these types of personalities handle effectively. The psychology of the despot reminds us that Tyrants rely on other tyrants, also on powerful figures in every society.: millionaires, businessmen, gangsters…

They create an ideology to justify your actions

History reminds us that many psychopathic and megalomaniacal leaders have shaped an ideology, or even invented a religion to legitimize their power and actions. Often, They are camouflaged by specific political acronyms to attract more followers or give a false appearance of heroism..

However, these ideologies always reveal the same goal: to serve as saviors to create a bigger, stronger and more united country. They are the supposed champions of good, heroes who liberate subjected peoples and fight (supposedly) fascism…

Despotic leaders see themselves as “enlightened” people, figures worthy of admiration who believe they have a very specific purpose in this world.

Eliminate your opponents and your power will remain unscathed

It is the golden rule for any despot seeking to prolong his position: eliminate your opponents and you will survive longer. They cannot allow voices to exist that are contrary to their principles, their arguments and purposes. The despot leaves no room for those who think differently, What’s more, it will prevent people from developing critical thinking by all means,

The free press does not exist and anyone with their own voice who dares to express opinions opposed to the tyrant is silenced. To achieve this, it will not hesitate to apply sanctioning and, of course, violent mechanisms. The empire of buried fear is a constant where the despotic leader erects his authority.

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In conclusion, An aspect that accompanies these personalities is the idea that they are in this world to fulfill a purpose.. This megalomania articulates a cold, Machiavellian and sagacious behavior that does not hesitate to undermine all other rights. They are presences of notable darkness that will always inhabit our societies…