The Narcissism of the Political
Peter Schultz
“Vanity and the desire to dominate other(s) are passions that arise…in society,” according to Montesquieu, ala’ Thomas Pangle.
Which means that vanity and dominance are the political passions par excellence and are made socially acceptable via politics. That is, it is via the political that humans motivated by vanity and a desire to dominate others can have their narcissism made acceptable and even honored. Those who are characterized by vanity and dominance lust for fame, which is a kind of immortality. Hence, as Lincoln pointed out in his “Perpetuation of Our Political Institutions” lyceum address, for the most ambitious politicians, it is immaterial whether they enslave freemen or free slaves. Their acts disguise and socially legitimize the passions that underlie them, vanity and the desire for dominance. Such narcissism lies at the root of the political, in its meanness and in its greatness.
To
say that the best regime is the least pathological regime is to say there is no
political solution to human problems. There are no simply good options
and there is nothing that can be done about that. The fate of the nuclear
strategists reveals this truth. The “MAD-ness” of the nuclear age clarifies all
ages. Human problems cannot be solved politically, militarily, or morally.
Hence, it helps tremendously to have a sense of humor, as that allows you to
see the human drama for the comedy it is. Ironically, the most serious matters
are best treated humorously or light heartedly. Hence, the value of seeing the irony of Plato’s Republic,
of Aristotle’s Politics, and of Machiavelli’s The Prince and
his Discourses, as well as his Mandragola. It will lighten your load.
