AI Input:

Pathological ego can influence world politics through leaders who prioritize personal glory over diplomacy, leading to increased hostility, aggression, and a disregard for compromise. This can manifest as an “ego-politics” where leaders manipulate emotions, suppress dissent, and dismantle democratic institutions to maintain power and attention. Collective narcissism, which involves an inflated but fragile national ego, can further fuel hostility between nations, as seen in a tendency toward revenge and military aggression. 

How pathological ego influences world politics

• Heightened aggression and hostility:
  • Leaders high in pathological ego traits may be more prone to aggression, viewing disagreement as a personal attack and fostering a climate of antagonism.
  • This can lead to a greater willingness to use military force and a tendency to see other countries as threats.
• Distorted leadership and decision-making:
  • Traits like grandiosity, a need for adoration, and incompetence with policy can lead to decisions that benefit the leader’s self-image rather than the nation’s well-being.
  • This can result in a “hubris syndrome” where a leader becomes detached from reality, conflates themselves with the nation, and believes they will be vindicated despite their failures.’
• Suppression of dissent and democratic institutions:
  • Leaders with pathological egos may actively dismantle democratic institutions, such as a free press, which they view as a threat to their power and public image.
  • This can lead to propaganda, the spread of misinformation, and the creation of echo chambers to manipulate public opinion and suppress critical voices.
• “Ego-politics” and emotional manipulation:
  • Leaders can use “ego-politics” to manipulate collective emotions by appealing to racism, nationalism, or nostalgia.
  • This approach thrives on creating loyal followers who become emotionally invested in the leader’s success and grand promises, often overlooking facts and evidence.
• Misuse of activism and social movements:
  • The “dark-ego-vehicle principle” suggests that individuals with dark personality traits may co-opt social and political activism to serve their ego-driven needs for status and dominance.
  • This can lead to “virtue signaling” and a focus on personal gain rather than genuine prosocial goals.
• Collective narcissism among nations:
  • When a nation exhibits collective narcissism, its citizens and leaders can become more prone to hostility, revenge, and aggression toward other nations.
  • This can create a dangerous cycle where perceived slights lead to disproportionate reactions and a general increase in international conflict. 

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Recommended Readings:

Why Ego Destroys the Fabric of Society

Ego and the idea of self-importance have a pathological impact on society
https://transformatise.medium.com/why-ego-destroys-the-fabric-of-society-3022e57d7bd1

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European Journal Of Psychoanalysis

Pathological Narcissism, Nazi Germany, and Donald Trump.  
https://www.journal-psychoanalysis.eu/articles/bunkers-bubbles-monuments-and-walls-pathological-narcissism-nazi-germany-and-donald-trump/

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^{Posted Nov 17, 2025 by Score Card.}