Brian Klaas, an Associate Professor of Global Politics at University College London and author of 'Corruptible,' dives into why systems attract power-hungry leaders. He explains that while power can corrupt, it's the broken systems that allow the wrong individuals to rise. Klaas shares fascinating insights on self-selection bias, highlighting how those craving control often seek leadership roles. He also explores society's attraction to 'strongmen,' linking it to evolutionary instincts and advocating for reforms to deter abusive leaders.
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insights INSIGHT
Power Plus Systems Explain Corruption
Power does change psychology and brain function, but that's only part of the story.
Broken systems that attract the wrong people explain much of why bad leaders rise.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Martin McFyfe
Brian Klaas recounts a homeowners association president,
insights INSIGHT
Self-Selection Skews Leadership
People who crave power self-select into leadership roles, skewing representation.
Those in power are not average or normal compared to the general population.
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Why we keep giving power to the wrong people, according to political scientist and associate professor Brian Klaas.
Brian Klaas, a political scientist and associate professor at University College London, argues that while the popular phrase "power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely" is true to a certain extent, the real problem lies in broken systems that attract and promote the wrong kind of people.
In his research, Klaas has found that people who crave power are more likely to self-select into positions of power, resulting in a slate of leaders who are not representative of the general population. He believes that the solution is to design systems that attract better people.
Klaas challenges the notion that the people in power are entirely to blame and instead reflects on why society is drawn toward abusive leaders.
0:00 Why the wrong people are in charge
1:32 Is corruption universal?
2:11 Martin McFife, the HOA president from hell
3:28 Self-selection bias
4:14 Why we can’t resist “strongmen”
6:26 Expelling the worst of the worst
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About Brian Klaas:
Associate Professor of Global Politics at University College London, Contributing Writer for The Atlantic, author of Corruptible: Who Gets Power and How It Changes Us, and Creator/Host of the award-winning Power Corrupts podcast.
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