logo
episode-header-image
Apr 2022
52m 54s

How Power Corrupts

THE ART OF MANLINESS
About this episode
Why do corrupt people end up in power?By way of an answer, you probably think of that famous quote from Lord Acton, "Power tends to corrupt; absolute power corrupts absolutely." But my guest today, Brian Klaas, would say that's only one part of what leads to corrupt individuals and cultures, the other being that people who are already corrupt are more likely ... Show More
Up next
Sep 1
To Change Yourself, Change Your Situation
Professor of psychology Angela Duckworth is famous for her work on grit — the combination of passion and perseverance that leads to high achievement. But she’s come to an increasing appreciation for the fact that success isn't just a matter of the qualities inside you; it's also ... Show More
55m 59s
Aug 25
The Lost Virtue of Thumos (And Why Men Need It)
The ancient Greeks believed the human soul had three parts: reason, appetite, and something called thumos. Thumos is difficult to translate into English. It encompasses anger, noble spiritedness, pride, ambition, a sense of honor, and the drive to act. The Greeks thought it was e ... Show More
53m 5s
Aug 18
The Secrets of Supercommunicators
Note: This is a rebroadcast. Have you ever known one of those people who seemed to be able to connect with anyone? The kind of person who had the ability to make others feel understood and smoothly navigate even the trickiest of conversations?Charles Duhigg calls these folks “sup ... Show More
45m 6s
Recommended Episodes
Nov 2021
How Power Changes Us, with Brian Klaas
Does power corrupt, or are corrupt people drawn to power? It’s a question that runs through the heart of the work of Brian Klaas, professor of global politics at University College London and Washington Post columnist. His latest book is 'Corruptible: Who Gets Power and How It Ch ... Show More
50m 51s
Sep 2016
Episode 43: The Perils of Power
<p>We've all heard the old adage that &quot;power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely,&quot; but psychologist Dacher Keltner at UC Berkeley has found evidence to prove it. His book is <em>The Power Paradox: How We Gain and Lose Influence.</em></p><br/> <p>Hos ... Show More
26m 20s
Mar 2022
Revenge of Power: How Autocrats are Reinventing Politics in the 21st Century
In The Revenge of Power: How Autocrats Are Reinventing Politics for the 21st Century, Moisés Naím, former Editor-in-Chief of Foreign Policy, turns to the trends, conditions, technologies and behaviors that are contributing to the concentration of power, and to the clash between t ... Show More
59m 35s
Sep 2021
Power: How you get it, how it can change you, with Dacher Keltner, PhD
What is power? Why do people seek it and how do they get it? Is it human nature to abuse power? And how might power – or powerlessness – affect our health and wellbeing? Dacher Keltner, PhD, psychology professor at the University of California, Berkeley, and author of the book “T ... Show More
36m 49s
Mar 2019
#069 Finding Joy Amidst Fascism & Violence (with Brad Evans & Henry Giroux)
Today we discuss power, corruption, revolution and new systems. This is a proper academic episode, you’re gonna learn. Brad & Henry are brilliant thinkers and brilliant educators. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. 
1h 43m
Dec 2023
Can Corruption Be Good for the Economy?
We all know that corruption is a bad thing. People in government or the public sector using their position to personally enrich themselves is a form of stealing, but in some situations this can actually help to grow an economy. But in what situations, and how long can corruption ... Show More
8m 52s
Jul 2025
Why good people become bad bosses | Jamie Woolf and Christopher Bell
You’ve probably had a bad boss, but you might not realize how easy it is to become one. Leadership experts Jamie Woolf and Christopher Bell unpack “power blindness” — how authority can warp your perspective — and share smart, practical ways to break the cycle of toxic bosses for ... Show More
13m 25s
Oct 2015
Corruption Matters; Good Governance Pays
In development circles, governance is often a code word for corruption. But Daniel Kaufmann, president of the Natural Resource Governance Institute, says governance is much broader. In this podcast, Kaufmann talks about how good governance can actually triple a country's per capi ... Show More
12m 58s