A YouTube video on problems with power - and ways to prevent them [Content Warning: cruelty, abuse, violence, atrocities, abuse of power/scandals, bad choices, narcissism, politics, police violence]

Something I have long wanted is for all political candidates, and applicants for police etc, to be tested for the things that matter to me: bigotry, in all its myriad forms. 

Test them all for unconscious bias (and take note if any show signs of genuinely committing to a credible plan to manage that bias), test electoral candidates for authoritarian bias, and have some trusted functionary provide a summary of the results to the public. 

This is unlikely to be compulsory for decades, but if JUST ONE candidate did this - somewhere - we could use that as leverage to try to get others to do the same ... *sighs wistfully*

Now I’ve come across a - long: two hour length - YouTube video where someone else is advocating the same - and based on evidence to boot.

The details are:

“The world’s biggest problem? Powerful psychopaths” presented by Brian Klaas, “Associate Professor of Global Politics at University College London, Contributing Writer for The Atlantic, author of “Corruptible: Who Gets Power and How It Changes Us” (https://www.amazon.com.au/Corruptible-Who-Gets-Power-Changes-ebook/dp/B0932K38TN/ref=sr_1_1)“”, and creator/host of the award-winning Power Corrupts podcast (https://www.powercorruptspodcast.com/, and https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/power-corrupts/id1458750622)”

URL: https://youtu.be/3eBN_9rMoVI?si=HJfMBoLl7KkzBYVi

The video also covers the tweaks/changes to prevent the wrong people getting into power. For example:

“... imagine that the worst person in the world is trying to get the job that you are advertising for. Imagine that the worst person in the world is running for the political office in your political party or in your election. Now design every system with that idea in mind.”

Upward scrutiny rather than downward: "rather than trying to punish and regulate every person who might steal a paper clip, think about the people who can actually bring the company down and inflict enormous damage on our societies." 

For candidates for elected positions (including in democratic representatives): “I wish there was a certain question that was asked to people who wanted to wield immense amounts of power that is often not asked. And that question is this. What would it take for you to think that you are no longer necessary in power?” 

“What we don't think about often is not what the police do, but who the police are” - he refers to New Zealand's “Do You Care Enough To Be a Cop?” (https://youtu.be/f9psILoYmCc?si=AsqZaX41O97YcM1T) as an example of a better recruitment approach, and perpetuation of demographics (which is an obvious problem). 

 

Here are a few other links, from the news, that fall vaguely into the same paddock as this:

Australia’s federal whistleblowing laws have not protected anyone since inception, analysis shows   https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/aug/29/australias-federal-whistleblowing-laws-have-not-protected-anyone-since-inception-analysis-shows

AEC responds to 'tick' and 'cross' referendum voting outrage   https://nit.com.au/27-08-2023/7387/aec-responds-to-tick-and-cross-referendum-voting-outrage  

‘New low’: Peter Dutton accused of seeking to ‘undermine’ faith in Australia’s electoral system   https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/aug/29/indigenous-voice-to-parliament-peter-dutton-sarah-hanson-young-new-low 

PS - I've started reading the book, and it is very good - well worth considering, in my view. 

PPS - I have come across some additional material which may be worthwhile. I'm still working through it, but I'll post it now anyway so others can assess it for themselves: 

• “Discovering One's Hidden Psychopathy” | James Fallon | Big Think - transcript here;
  
• “Why do conservatives fall for fake news?”.
  

Assumptions / basis 

In writing this, I have assumed / started from the following: 

• this blog states quite clearly that it is about political and human rights matters, including lived experience of problems, and thus I will assume readers are reasonable people who have noted the content warning in the post header;
  

Possible flaws 

Where I can, I will try to highlight possible flaws / issues you should consider:

• there may be flawed logical arguments in the above: to find out more about such flaws and thinking generally, I recommend Brendan  Myers’ free online course “Clear and Present Thinking”; 
  
• I could be wrong - so keep your thinking caps on, and make up your own minds for yourself.
  

 

If they are of any use of interest, the activism information links from my former news posts are available in this post. 

 

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Finally, remember: we need to be more human being rather than human doing.