The Adventures of Jonathan Gullible - Bastiat Institute

Why do the worst get to the top?
In 1947, Friedrich von Hayek posed this question. While he
explained the economics, he omitted the psychology of those
driven to wield power. Shortly after, Ayn Rand suggested that
producers stop playing host to parasites, but also missed
identifying the motive force behind the parasitic need to
control.
The psychology can be explained by a megalomania usually
rooted in alcohol or other drug addiction. Stalin, Hitler, Mao
Zedong, Sadam Hussein and Kim Jong Il have all been such
addicts. Coincidence? Hardly.
Most consider alcoholism to be a “loss of control over
drinking.” Yet, this is but one symptom of the disease in its
terminal stages. The early stage is characterized by a differential
brain chemistry leading the affl icted to develop a god-like sense
of self. Resulting misbehaviors include unethical or criminal
conduct, ranging from the relatively innocuous (verbal abuse
and serial adultery) to the extraordinarily destructive (mass
murder).
Understanding addiction is essential for our well-being, both
personally and on a geopolitical scale. The addict is capable
of anything. Seemingly innocuous misbehaviors can escalate
into tragic ones when addiction is allowed to run unchecked.
Early identifi cation can help minimize the effect it has on our
personal and professional lives and, with the right treatment,
may get the addict sober far earlier than is common—maybe
even before tragedy occurs.
In his latest book, How to Spot Hidden Alcoholics: Using
Behavioral Clues to Recognize Addiction in its Early Stages,
libertarian author and addiction expert Doug Thorburn redefi nes
alcoholism as a brain dysfunction that, when combined with use,
causes erratically destructive behaviors. Over 70 behavioral
clues allow you to protect yourself from alcoholic misbehaviors
as well as provide a better understanding of history, current
events and the psychological needs driving those in positions
of power. He also details the most effective ways of dealing
with the addicts in your life.
www.GaltPublishing.com