Power and Personality (Norton Library; N829)

“A trailblazing study that has mapped out new ways of understanding politicians and power, democracy and leadership, political systems and political personality―by the foremost intellect in American political science.” ―James MacGregor Burns

Power is an interpersonal situation: those who hold power depend on a continuing stream of empowering responses. Are there ”born leaders” and “born followers”? Is there a basic political type, or a certain kind of personality that seeks power? What implications do the motives for getting and using power have for democratic forms of government? In the light of recurrent challenges to democracy, and growing interest in psychological factors in those who govern, Harold D. Lasswell’s classic study offers a wide-ranging introduction to these vital concerns.