Leaders and Their Followers in a Dangerous World: The Psychology of Political Behavior

by Jerrold M. Post, Alexander George

"Post is a pioneer in the field of political-personality profiling. He may be the only psychiatrist who has specialized in the self-esteem problems of both Osama bin Laden and Saddam Hussein."―The New Yorker "Policy specialists and academic scholars have long agreed that for U.S. leaders to deal effectively with other actors in the international arena, they need images of their adversaries. Leaders must try to see events, and, indeed, their own behavior, from the perspective of opponents.... Faulty images are a source of misperceptions and miscalculations that have often led to major errors in policy, avoidable catastrophes, and missed opportunities. History supplies all too many examples."―from the Foreword What impels leaders to lead and followers to follow? How did Osama bin Laden, the son of a multibillionaire construction magnate in Saudi Arabia, become the world's number-one terrorist? What are the psychological foundations of man's inhumanity to man, ethnic cleansing, and genocide? Jerrold M. Post contends that such questions can be answered only through an understanding of the psychological foundations of leader personality and political behavior. Post was founding director of the Center for the Analysis of Personality and Political Behavior for the CIA. He developed the political personality profiles of Menachem Begin and Anwar Sadat for President Jimmy Carter's use at the Camp David talks and initiated the U.S. government's research program on the psychology of political terrorism. He was awarded the Intelligence Medal of Merit in 1979 for his leadership of the center. In this book, he draws on psychological and personality theories, as well as interviews with individual terrorists and those who have interacted with particular leaders, to discuss a range of issues: the effects of illness and age on a leader's political behavior; narcissism and the relationship between followers and a charismatic leader; the impact of crisis-induced stress on policymakers; the mind of the terrorist, with a consideration of "killing in the name of God"; and the need for enemies and the rise of ethnic conflict and terrorism in the post-Cold War environment. The leaders he discusses include Fidel Castro, Osama bin Laden, Saddam Hussein, Kim Jong Il, and Slobodan Milosevic.

Genres: Psychology, Politics, Nonfiction, History

320 pages, Hardcover

First published March 11, 2004

About the author

Dr. Post has devoted his entire career to the field of political psychology. Dr. Post came to George Washington after a 21 year career with the Central Intelligence Agency where he founded and directed the Center for the Analysis of Personality and Political Behavior, an interdisciplinary behavioral science unit which provided assessments of foreign leadership and decision making for the President and other senior officials to prepare for Summit meetings and other high level negotiations and for use in crisis situations. He played the lead role in developing the "Camp David profiles" of Menachem Begin and Anwar Sadat for President Jimmy Carter and initiated the U.S. government program in understanding the psychology of terrorism. In recognition of his leadership of the Center, Dr. Post was awarded the Intelligence Medal of Merit in 1979, and received the Studies in Intelligence Award in 1980. He received the Nevitt Sanford Award for Distinguished Professional Contributions to Political Psychology in 2002.

A founding member of the International Society of Political Psychology, Dr. Post was elected Vice-President in 1994, and has served on the editorial board of Political Psychology since 1987. A Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, he has been elected to the American College of Psychiatrists and is currently Chair, Task Force for National and International Terrorism and Violence for the APA.

Reviews

[Saif · Rating 3 out of 5]

طرح ذكي وعميق يشرح جذور القيادة والطغيان ببساطة علمية، لكنه يحتاج قارئًا متأملًا ليستوعب أبعاده النفسية والسياسية، كما أن الترجمة ليست بالمستوى المطلوب

[عمر الحمادي · Rating 4 out of 5]

لا ينبغي الحديث عن عن سيكولوجية الإرهاب بصيغة المفرد، فإن لكل فعل إرهابي دوافعه التي تختلف عن الأفعال الإرهابية الأخرى... إن تقسيم الكون الأخلاقي إلى خير وشر هو التربة الخصبة للمتطرفين لتبرير اعتداءاتهم وإيجاد تبرير مسهب في نصوصهم للدفاع العدائي عنها، حيث توفر الإيمانات الصلبة وعاء مبرراً للمشاعر القوية التي تهدد بابتلاع الفرد.

كتاب ممتاز في تحليل حالة المتبوع مع التابع في عالم السياسة.

[Terri Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this for a graduate seminar and loved it. You can't say that about most textbooks but clearly this author is an expert who is passionate about his subject matter and wants to share that interest with readers. The subject matter is world leaders including those like Saddam Hussein, Adolph Hitler, Stalin, and more and covers all continents including South America, Africa, Asia which often get left out. It is fascinating reading.

[Erik Gaull · Rating 5 out of 5]

While this book predates Donald Trump's move from reality TV host to politics, it is an essential read to understand Trump. The book gives the reader a clear understanding of Trump's narcissism and its effects on Trump. It is well-dcumented

[Ahmed Sultan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A closer look at how personality and power connect in politics. As a former CIA psychiatrist, Post does a great job showing how traits like self-importance, distrust, and charm influence leaders and their countries.
I liked how the book mixes psychology with history and politics, giving clear portraits of major leaders that make you see their choices in a new way. Some parts, though, go too deep into theory and can feel old or hard to follow.
Still, it’s an interesting and smart read for anyone curious about how people’s minds affect leadership and world events. Not an easy read, but definitely worth it.

[Abdulmalik · Rating 5 out of 5]

كتاب غاية في الروعة والإتقان والمؤلف أجاد في ذكر طبيعة سيكولوجية السلطة بذكر نماذج قديمة كنظام صدام حسين وما إلى ذلك
والمترجم يشكر حقيقة على إتقانه للترجمة فهو مترجم فذ

كتبت هذه المراجعة بغية قرائته مرة أخرى حيث القراءة الأولى كانت قبل عام ونصف

الكتاب ممتع وأنصح بقرائته عمومًا

[Damiez Chavan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting. Particularly liked the chapter on Eastern Europe.

[ZHRaa]

form where i can find it ,, i realy need this book