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Masters: INT580- Leadership & Political Analysis

Personality Profile

Rachael Riggs

INT580- Leadership & Political Analysis

Praveen Abhayaratne

February 2021

Personality Profile

The reading assignment exemplified three distinct personality disorders: Narcissistic Personality Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, and Paranoid Personality Disorder. One can often see these potentially dangerous personality traits within the realms of political leaders.

Narcissistic Personality Disorder seems to be the most commonly seen personality disorder among world leaders. While some degree of narcissism is healthy and often a preferable trait for those in power, unhealthy narcissism exists when a political leader has a grandiose self-image, displays little empathy, and carries a sense of entitlement. The narcissist's image is easily damaged. One is seen as an extension of the narcissist and, when no longer is useful to the narcissist and his plans, will quickly be discarded. As stated in my previous post, an example of this is Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Vladimir Putin displays a sense of entitlement. Clinical psychologist Ian Robertson has shown examples of Putin’s behavior that are cause for concern. One such example he states, "In June 2005 Putin saw a diamond-studded Superbowl ring on the finger of New England Patriot's owner Robert Kraft during a U.S. business visit to St Petersburg. He asked to see it, tried it on, and said, "I could kill someone with this." He then, allegedly, put it in his pocket and abruptly left the room.” (Swindon, 2018) In an article in Psychology Today, Ian Robertson describes how the mind of Putin has changed while he has been in power, stating, "There can be little doubt that his brain has been neurologically and physically changed so much that he firmly and genuinely believes that without him, Russia is doomed.” (Robertson, 2014) These examples show Putin’s sense of entitlement, an expectation of special treatment, and grandiose sense of self-importance, as discussed in Jerrold M Post's book "The Psychological Assessment of Political Leaders." (Post, 2005)

To further understand the narcissistic personality, it is essential to understand that narcissism begins in childhood to deal with trauma, neglect, and inferiority feelings. Putin’s upbringing is consistent with the making of a narcissist, as The Atlantic’s writer Joseph Burgo describes how “Vladimir was born into this atmosphere of hunger, disability, and profound grief.” (Burgo, 2014) Vladimir Putin's childhood encompasses everything needed to potentially prepare a child for adulthood with a narcissistic personality disorder. Putin has indeed displayed these traits often throughout his political career.

References

Burgo, J. (2014). Vladimir Putin, Narcissist? The Atlantic. Retrieved from https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2014/04/vladimir-putin-narcissist/360544/

Post, J. M. (2005). The Psychological Assessment of Political Leaders. Ann Arbor: The University of Michigan Press.

Robertson, I. H. (2014). The Danger That Lurks Inside Vladimir Putin's Brain. Psychology Today. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-winner-effect/201403/the-danger-lurks-inside-vladimir-putins-brain

Swindon, P. (2018). Inside the mind of 'reckless narcissist' Vladimir Putin. The Herald. doi:https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/16252688.inside-mind-reckless-narcissist-vladimir-putin/

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