Davide’s review of Propaganda > Likes and Comments
30 likes · Like
Alan wrote: ""In everyday language, a psychopath is generally described as someone capable of appearing well adapted to society while manipulating others, whereas a sociopath is seen as more impulsive and less ..."
I have great faith in American democracy. You have long been an example to the world and, for generations, you have helped safeguard freedom on behalf of humanity. A few sociopaths or psychopaths are not going to change that. But perhaps we should also ask ourselves why, if Trump has so many flaws, Americans chose him. Could it be that the alternative seemed even worse?
Trump and his minions are authoritarian through and through. He publicly advertises that he wants to be king and pope. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Kamala Harris were/are clearly within the democratic-republican (constitutional democracy) tradition of the United States; Trump hates that tradition, as evidenced by his public adulation of dictators worldwide and his deprecation of democratic-republican leaders in Europe and the United States. One may disagree with specific policy proposals of Hillary Clinton and Kamala Harris (I myself do not agree with everything they say), but they fit squarely within the US constitutional tradition; Trump, Vance, and the rest are ideologically opposed to that tradition. This fact differentiates them from George W. Bush, Ronald Reagan, and other Republicans of the pre-Trump era. During recent years, the Republican Party has come within the grip of fascist ideology, which is why many decent Republicans have left the party.
Why has the US electorate nevertheless voted in such a way that the Electoral College has chosen Trump twice? I give my answer to that question and the only real solution in my essay “Education in Ethics, Critical Thinking, History, and Government,” the links to which can be located at https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/... (Goodreads does not permit links outside of Goodreads in the comments to book reviews).
back to top
date
newest »
newest »
Alan wrote: ""In everyday language, a psychopath is generally described as someone capable of appearing well adapted to society while manipulating others, whereas a sociopath is seen as more impulsive and less ..."I have great faith in American democracy. You have long been an example to the world and, for generations, you have helped safeguard freedom on behalf of humanity. A few sociopaths or psychopaths are not going to change that. But perhaps we should also ask ourselves why, if Trump has so many flaws, Americans chose him. Could it be that the alternative seemed even worse?
Trump and his minions are authoritarian through and through. He publicly advertises that he wants to be king and pope. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Kamala Harris were/are clearly within the democratic-republican (constitutional democracy) tradition of the United States; Trump hates that tradition, as evidenced by his public adulation of dictators worldwide and his deprecation of democratic-republican leaders in Europe and the United States. One may disagree with specific policy proposals of Hillary Clinton and Kamala Harris (I myself do not agree with everything they say), but they fit squarely within the US constitutional tradition; Trump, Vance, and the rest are ideologically opposed to that tradition. This fact differentiates them from George W. Bush, Ronald Reagan, and other Republicans of the pre-Trump era. During recent years, the Republican Party has come within the grip of fascist ideology, which is why many decent Republicans have left the party.Why has the US electorate nevertheless voted in such a way that the Electoral College has chosen Trump twice? I give my answer to that question and the only real solution in my essay “Education in Ethics, Critical Thinking, History, and Government,” the links to which can be located at https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/... (Goodreads does not permit links outside of Goodreads in the comments to book reviews).
By this definition, Trump is a sociopath and not a psychopath. He makes no attempt to conceal his amorality and irrationality. It's obvious or, at least, should be obvious. On the other hand, about 50% of the American people apparently don't detect this trait.
I note that this book was first published in 1928--before Hitler, before the worst of Stalin, and before Trump. I wonder whether the author would be pleased at how these and similar people applied his recommendations.