Sean Carroll's Mindscape: Science, Society, Philosophy, Culture, Arts, and Ideas 189 | Brian Klaas on Power and the Temptation of Corruption
6 snips
Mar 21, 2022 
Brian Klaas, an Associate Professor in Global Politics at UCL and Washington Post columnist, delves into the fascinating interplay between power and corruption. He discusses whether power inherently corrupts or attracts corruptible individuals, supported by psychological insights and historical examples. Klaas explores the dynamics of social hierarchies, the influence of environment on behavior, and innovative governance strategies like sortition to enhance accountability. His examination reveals potential safeguards to mitigate corruption and foster better governance.
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Dice Rolls and Corruption
- A study used dice rolls to assess dishonesty and career aspirations.
- In India, dishonest students wanted civil service jobs; in Denmark, honest ones did.
Power Corrupts vs. Corruptible People
- Power corrupts, but corruptible people also seek power.
- Both factors contribute to the problem of corruption in leadership.
Psychological and Biological Effects of Power
- Power causes psychological changes like viewing subordinates as disposable.
- Biological changes, like altered dopamine receptors, also occur, as seen in macaque monkeys.
