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2.2 MB
Extraction Summary
3
People
1
Organizations
1
Locations
1
Events
1
Relationships
4
Quotes
Document Information
Type:
Interview transcript / document page
File Size:
2.2 MB
Summary
This document page appears to be a transcript of an interview with a political psychologist (likely Jerrold Post, based on the book title mentioned) discussing the psychological profiles of autocrats like Muammar Qadhafi and Saddam Hussein. The speaker analyzes how these leaders are surrounded by sycophants, insulating them from political reality, and how their narcissism leads to 'narcissistic rage' when their self-image is threatened, citing Saddam's burning of Kuwaiti oil wells as an example. The document bears a House Oversight stamp.
People (3)
| Name | Role | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Unidentified Speaker | Interviewee / Author |
An expert on political psychology, mentioning their upcoming book 'Dreams of Glory: Narcissism and Politics'.
|
| Qadhafi | Subject of discussion |
Libyan leader discussed in the context of delusion, sycophancy, and narcissistic rage.
|
| Saddam Hussein | Subject of discussion |
Former Iraqi leader used as an example of an autocrat surrounded by sycophants and prone to narcissistic rage (burnin...
|
Organizations (1)
| Name | Type | Context |
|---|---|---|
| House Oversight Committee |
Indicated by the footer stamp 'HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_024595'.
|
Timeline (1 events)
1991 (Historical Reference)
Locations (1)
| Location | Context |
|---|---|
|
Mentioned in relation to Saddam Hussein exiting the country and lighting oil wells on fire.
|
Relationships (1)
To provide criticism of him was either to lose your job or lose your life.
Key Quotes (4)
"Deluded isn't quite the word, because if you're surrounded by a group of sycophants who tell you what you want to hear, not what you need to hear, you can be in touch with reality by psychological tests but quite out of touch with reality politically."Source
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Quote #1
"With Saddam Hussein, this was particularly true—where to provide criticism of him was either to lose your job or lose your life."Source
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Quote #2
"I see narcissism as being a very powerful explanatory factor for many of these leaders..."Source
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Quote #3
"So, for example, with Saddam Hussein as he was exiting Kuwait, lighting the oil wells on fire—that was probably an example of that [narcissistic rage]."Source
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Quote #4
Full Extracted Text
Complete text extracted from the document (1,717 characters)
4
destroy it."
Are Qadhafi and other deposed leaders deluded in thinking all is
well in their kingdom or their country?
well in their kingdom or their country?
Deluded isn't quite the word, because if you're surrounded by a group
of sycophants who tell you what you want to hear, not what you need
to hear, you can be in touch with reality by psychological tests but
quite out of touch with reality politically. With Saddam Hussein, this
was particularly true—where to provide criticism of him was either to
lose your job or lose your life. Everyone was constantly praising him
and his brilliance, and he was spared wise council.
of sycophants who tell you what you want to hear, not what you need
to hear, you can be in touch with reality by psychological tests but
quite out of touch with reality politically. With Saddam Hussein, this
was particularly true—where to provide criticism of him was either to
lose your job or lose your life. Everyone was constantly praising him
and his brilliance, and he was spared wise council.
In addition to these circles of sycophants, is narcissism a common
trait among autocrats?
trait among autocrats?
That is a wonderful question. I'm just putting the finishing touches on
my capstone book, which will be called Dreams of Glory: Narcissism
and Politics. I see narcissism as being a very powerful explanatory
factor for many of these leaders, who display a number of traits of
narcissism. One is they have a really exalted self-concept on the
surface, and are very sensitive to slight or any information to the
contrary. So they can get very angry if someone questions them.
Secondly, when there is something that shatters that image—and this
will be interesting to see what happens with Qadhafi—there can be
what's called a narcissistic rage. So, for example, with Saddam
Hussein as he was exiting Kuwait, lighting the oil wells on fire—that
was probably an example of that. Their interpersonal relationships
are very disturbed, and they surround themselves with people who
make them feel good. So that it is really a great hazard to in any way
criticize the leader. Qadhafi did a great deal to hollow out the
my capstone book, which will be called Dreams of Glory: Narcissism
and Politics. I see narcissism as being a very powerful explanatory
factor for many of these leaders, who display a number of traits of
narcissism. One is they have a really exalted self-concept on the
surface, and are very sensitive to slight or any information to the
contrary. So they can get very angry if someone questions them.
Secondly, when there is something that shatters that image—and this
will be interesting to see what happens with Qadhafi—there can be
what's called a narcissistic rage. So, for example, with Saddam
Hussein as he was exiting Kuwait, lighting the oil wells on fire—that
was probably an example of that. Their interpersonal relationships
are very disturbed, and they surround themselves with people who
make them feel good. So that it is really a great hazard to in any way
criticize the leader. Qadhafi did a great deal to hollow out the
HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_024595
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