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Power Dynamics
In this excerpt from "Seven Rivers," historian Vanessa Taylor explores how Ancient Egyptian pharaohs harnessed the Nile River to build empires and secure their power.
As Beijing encroaches on the territory of the Himalayan kingdom, its ultimate aim is leverage over India.
As we shape our future we should ask: Which interpretations of classic sci-fi fables hold sway with today’s powerful tech leaders?
Follow the money and you'll follow history.
You got your promotion — but managing the pressure inherent to your elevated role is now a crucial part of your job.
If you have any sort of power for any reasonable length of time, you will be changed by it — awareness of the effects is crucial.
Nobody likes the uneasy feeling of being watched — so can there be any workplace benefit to the all-seeing eye?
Autocrats like Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin fear democracy, yet go to great lengths to present themselves as democratic leaders.
It's time for an honest conversation.
Long before the birth of Julius Caesar, the Roman Republic appointed all-powerful dictators to protect their state in times of crisis. They were remarkably self-restrained and obedient to the Roman Constitution.
Exile is a kind of death of who you once were.
By the end, even his mom wanted him gone.
10mins
“Only a narcissist would want to become president.” This is the psychology of an authoritarian unpacked.
Every successful leader can mine golden knowledge from the works of the Bard.
Australian soldiers fighting the Japanese recruited native New Guineans to their campaign.
Successful alpha leadership is more about caring and healing than dog-eat-dog supremacy.
Mary Toft staged an elaborate hoax, but the pain was real.
Fear of technology is not new. But we misunderstand its origin. In reality, we don't fear technology but each other.
"Groupthink" gets a bad rap. In reality, we need groups to focus our thinking and to build on the ideas of others.
John Templeton Foundation
5mins
Why do the worst people rise to power? University College London professor Brian Klaas responds.
She apparently learned some valuable business skills as a former prostitute.
As Abraham Lincoln famously said, “If you want to test a man’s character, give him power and a plate of cookies.” (Something like that.)
8mins
Why we keep giving power to the wrong people, according to political scientist and associate professor Brian Klaas.
Whether in Russia or China, the secret police are defined by their unquestioning loyalty — as well as by their poor career prospects.
Evil is easy to identify and fight against; not so with stupidity.
The findings contradict a widespread belief.
A new technique for analyzing networks can tell who wields soft power.
Behind the scenes, Hitler had at least three disastrous relationships, including a short-lived marriage.