Intelligence Squared How Power Changes Us, with Brian Klaas
Nov 9, 2021
Brian Klaas, a global politics professor at University College London and Washington Post columnist, dives into the complex relationship between power and corruption. He explores whether power corrupts or corrupt individuals seek power, using real-world examples, like Madagascar’s former prime minister. Klaas also discusses leadership challenges during transitional governance, the changing nature of political discourse, and the rise of anti-corruption movements. This thought-provoking conversation unravels the intricacies of human behavior within the realm of power.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Ravalomanana's Corruption
- Anne Applebaum discusses Ravalomanana's journey from yogurt entrepreneur to Madagascar's prime minister.
- His initial intentions were noble, but he became increasingly corrupt while in office.
Power's Physiological Impact
- Power increases risk-taking and selfish behavior, altering brain chemistry and accelerating aging.
- Stressful positions of power, like CEOs or alpha primates, lead to faster biological aging.
Bremer's Dilemma in Iraq
- Paul Bremer, tasked with governing post-Saddam Iraq, faced morally challenging decisions due to the existing corrupt system.
- Bremer's decision to shut down a newspaper inciting violence, acceptable in Iraq's context, highlights the complexity of transitioning from dictatorship to democracy.
