Intelligence Squared
The Art of Political Power, with Robert Caro and William Hague
Oct 30, 2015
Robert Caro, the renowned American biographer, joins William Hague in a fascinating discussion on political power. They delve into the sources of power, the determination to help marginalized communities, the importance of context in biographies, the effectiveness of power wielded by political figures such as Robert Moses and Lyndon Johnson, and the impact of political leaders on social causes like civil rights and education.
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Quick takeaways
- Robert Caro and William Hague discussed the different approaches to wielding political power by Robert Moses and Lyndon Johnson, highlighting Moses' use of intellect and legislation, and Johnson's reliance on charisma and persuasion.
- Lyndon Johnson and Robert Moses demonstrated the ability to shape political agendas and prioritize certain issues over others, such as civil rights legislation and infrastructure development, respectively.
Deep dives
The Power of Robert Moses and Lyndon Johnson
Robert Moses and Lyndon Johnson both wielded power effectively in their respective realms. Moses had a great intellect and used legislation to gain power, while Johnson used his charismatic personality to bend people to his will. Both men had grand ambitions and wanted to make a significant impact. Whether their methods were moral is subjective, but they both achieved impressive outcomes. Moses focused on building infrastructure, while Johnson fought for civil rights and implemented social programs.
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