Sean Carroll's Mindscape: Science, Society, Philosophy, Culture, Arts, and Ideas

189 | Brian Klaas on Power and the Temptation of Corruption

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.

01:22:29

Episode guests

Brian Klaas

Highlights

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Is Power Corruptible?

00:40

War and Peas

00:27

Intro

4min

Power and Corruption: A Complex Interplay

16min

Exploring Hierarchies and Egalitarianism in Human Societies

4min

Power Dynamics in Communal Societies

15min

Unraveling Psychopathy: The Strategic Minds Behind Manipulation

5min

Exploring Psychopathy and Leadership

10min

The Influence of Environment on Behavior and Policing Culture

3min

Innovative Policing and Governance Strategies

8min

Power, Corruption, and Governance

22min

All societies grant more power to some citizens, and there is always a temptation to use that power for the benefit of themselves rather than for the greater good. Power corrupts, we are told — but to what extent is that true? Would any of us, upon receiving great power, be tempted by corruption? Or are corruptible people drawn to accrue power? Brian Klaas has investigated these questions by looking at historical examples and by interviewing hundreds of people who have been in this position. He concludes that power can corrupt, but it doesn’t necessarily do so — we can construct safeguards to keep corruption to a minimum.

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Brian Klaas received his D.Phil. in Politics from the University of Oxford. He is currently Associate Professor in Global Politics at University College London and a columnist for The Washington Post. His new book is Corruptible: Who Gets Power and How it Changes Us. He is host of the Power Corrupts podcast.