

Hillary Clinton on the Psychology of Autocrats
53 snips Sep 19, 2025
Hillary Clinton, former U.S. Secretary of State, and Keren Yarhi-Milo, Dean of Columbia's School of International and Public Affairs, delve into the psychology of authoritarian leaders like Trump and Putin. They emphasize the importance of understanding leader psychology in navigating global crises and decision-making. Clinton criticizes the media's pressure tactics and discusses contemporary politics, including Gavin Newsom’s redistricting plan. Their insights are drawn from their new book, shedding light on the complexities of crisis response and political dynamics.
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Authoritarian Playbook In Domestic Politics
- The Trump administration is using a criminal tragedy to intimidate critics and chill opposition.
- Hillary Clinton warns this mirrors authoritarian playbooks that erode democratic culture.
Include Experts And Use Structured Processes
- Bring domain experts and career diplomats into crisis deliberations to improve decisions.
- Use structured processes like red-teaming and diverse advisors to prevent blind spots.
Process Trumps Courtier Politics
- Thoughtful process and diverse expertise produced better crisis decisions in the Situation Room.
- Clinton contrasts that with current centralized, flattery-driven decision making around the president.