Psychopaths are characterized by confidence, good adaptability, and a lack of empathy…

For someone who loves to dominate, possesses power over others, and does not suffer from guilt or empathy, there is no more ideal profession than that of a leader or politician, studies suggest.

The history of the world is filled with severely disturbed minds who led states, oppressing their populations and committing genocide against other nations. Some of the most notorious names in modern history include Hitler and Mao Zedong, whose hands are stained with the blood of around 45 million people, and Belgian King Leopold, who killed 10 million inhabitants of the Congo and even took photographs in front of mountains of corpses.

The most appealing jobs for a psychopath

Kevin Daton, a psychologist and specialist in psychopathy, created a list of the most appealing jobs for a psychopath, with leadership positions at the top. Psychopaths are characterized by self-confidence, sociability, and better adaptability compared to other psychiatric disorders, as well as superficial charm, manipulativeness, and a lack of empathy, guilt, and anxiety. All of this allows them to present themselves in a very favorable light in social and business interactions.

Without empathy? Desirable for a leader

Due to their ability to make quick decisions with a cool head, without emotional interference, individuals with this personality structure are even desirable for leadership positions among experienced recruiters, while the same profile is avoided when hiring for non-leadership roles.

After experiencing the horrors orchestrated by Hitler’s regime in his youth, Polish psychologist Andrew Lobaczewski dedicated himself to studying the relationship between psychological disorders and politics. He was intrigued by why psychopaths and narcissists are so drawn to power and the takeover of others’ governments and states. Further research inspired him to coin the term “pathocracy,” which refers to governments led by psychopaths. He writes that narcissists crave attention and adoration, possessing a sense of superiority and a need for dominance, while psychopaths lack empathy and do not have a strong desire for others to worship them.

Politicians also have a desire for dominance

In America, there is also a convention known as the “Goldwater Rule,” which states that psychologists should not unofficially comment on the mental state of public figures who have not undergone examination. This convention came into effect in 1964 after psychologists commented on the mental fitness of Senator Barry Goldwater. In recent years, this rule has faced criticism from psychologists who frequently and in detail comment on the mental state of President Donald Trump. From this, it is clear how and why individuals with these serious psychological disorders often rise to leadership positions. For someone who enjoys dominating, possesses power over others, and does not suffer from guilt or empathy, there is no better occupation than being a leader in a large system or a politician.