==================================
============================================
September 30, 2014
Many people think Barack Obama is a Narcissist.
Could Obama’s possible Narcissism be interlaced with a Machiavellian style love affair with his ideology?
********************
The greatest source of Machiavelli’s reputation is, of course, The Prince (1532). The main theme of this short book is that all means may be resorted to for the establishment and preservation of authority — the end justifies the means (italics added)– and that the worst and most treacherous acts of the ruler are justified by the wickedness and treachery of the governed. LINK
Hmm…WHERE have we heard or seen the words….”the end justifies the means”? Ahhh…yes, in “Rules for Radicals” by Saul Alinsky.
“The third rule of ethics of means and ends is that in war the end justifies almost any means….” p.29 Link
But, I digress.
**************************
Excerpt from above link:
When things are going well, it’s all photo-op smiles, hearty handshakes.
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, Machiavellianism is “the employment of cunning and duplicity in statecraft or general conduct,” it of course getting its derivation from the Italian diplomat, writer and philosopher Niccolo Machiavelli. In modern psychological parlance, it refers to a duplicitous interpersonal style couple with a pragmatic and narcissistic moral framework.
Some have incorrectly assumed that given their ability to manipulate the crap out of just about anybody, Machiavellian leaders have a relatively high level of intelligence. In fact, many Machiavellian leaders themselves believe this. Not only does research show this isn’t the case at all in regards to IQ, it also shows that folks with more Machiavellian tendencies seem to have lower levels of EQ (emotional intelligence) as well.
Short version of the above: These guys aren’t as smart as they think they are, and probably aren’t as smart as you think they are. Also, they may suck at certain people skills.
===========================
=======================================
Excerpt from above link:
The Machiavellian Personality
In the early 1970s, psychologist Richard Christie and his colleagues identified a distinct personality style that is characterized by manipulativeness, cynicism about human nature, and shrewdness in interpersonal behavior. Named after the
sixteenth-century political philosopher and Italian Prince Machiavelli, this personality style is very nearly synonymous
with being a manipulator. Machiavellian personalities are committed to the proposition that a desired end justifies virtually
any means. Machiavellianism is defined as a manipulative strategy of social interaction and personality style that
uses other people as tools of personal gain.
Machiavellianism derives from the views of Prince Machiavelli that a ruler is not bound by traditional ethical norms.
A prince, therefore, should only be concerned with power and be bound only by rules that would lead to success. Prince
Machiavelli deduced these rules from the political practices of his time:
• Never show humility; it is more effective to show arrogance when dealing with others.
• Morality and ethics are for the weak; powerful people should feel free to lie, cheat, and deceive whenever it suits
their purpose.
• It is better to be feared than loved.
High machs (Machiavellists) tend to constitute a distinctive type. They tend to be charming, confident, and glib; but they also are arrogant, calculating, and cynical, prone to manipulate and exploit. In the context of laboratory experiment games, high
machs display a keen and opportunistic sense of timing, and they appear to capitalize especially in situations that contain
ambiguity regarding the rules.”
This looks like a mixture of Narcissism and Antisocials. Now lets take a look at some of the 48 laws.
Law 3
Conceal your Intentions
Keep people off-balance and in the dark by never revealing the purpose behind your actions. If they have no clue what you are up to, they cannot prepare a defense. Guide them far enough down the wrong path, envelope them in enough smoke, and by the time they realize your intentions, it will be too late.
Law 7
Get others to do the Work for you, but Always Take the Credit
Use the wisdom, knowledge, and legwork of other people to further your own cause. Not only will such assistance save you valuable time and energy, it will give you a godlike aura of efficiency and speed. In the end your helpers will be forgotten and you will be remembered. Never do yourself what others can do for you.
================================
===================================================
Related LINKS:
************************
*****************
Excerpt from above link:
The dark triad is a group of three personality traits: narcissism, Machiavellianism and psychopathy.[1][2][3] The use of the term “dark” reflects the perception that these traits have interpersonally aversive qualities:[4][5][6][7]
Narcissism is characterised by grandiosity, pride, egotism, and a lack of empathy.[8]
Machiavellianism is characterised by manipulation and exploitation of others, a cynical disregard for morality, and a focus on self-interest and deception.[9]
Psychopathy is characterised by enduring antisocial behaviour, impulsivity, selfishness, callousness, and remorselessness.[10]
The dark triad may refer to these traits at only a subclinical level.[11][clarification needed]
All three traits have been associated with a callous-manipulative interpersonal style.[12] Jakobwitz and Egan carried out a factor analysis and found agreeableness strongly dissociated with these traits, and other factors, such as neuroticism and a lack of conscientiousness, associated with some traits.[9]
However, it has been suggested that agreeableness is not relevant to the core of the dark triad, and that instead the common variance is accounted for by callousness and manipulation.[13]
=================================
==========================================
***************************
********************************
Romanticpoet's Weblog 