Quote:
Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch
I remember reading a book that talked about rationalism in communist leadership.
They based it around a lack of belief in an afterlife or a heaven in hell, so these communist leaders believed that they had to reach their goals in their lifetime.
Hence the revolutionary saying, World Socialism in our lifetime.
That mind set created a ruthlessness that powered the whole Soviet state security apparatus.
and because there was no fear of heaven or hell, these leaders could combine their fear of their life ending without making their mark with no fear of any cost to their actions.
Stalin very much had that mindset, and I'm convinced that he also suffered from some very significant mental health issues that made him a fairly brilliant monster.
The crazies in charge of Iran believe the opposite, they believe that their life work based in religion is a virtue that will get them their final reward, and heaven help who gets in your way.
If you wack a bunch of kids, its ok, they were innocents and will get into heaven.
If you kill an enemy they will serve you in heaven.
If you carry out a great act of violence in the name of your religion, enyoy your virgins.
Leadership mindsets are just very interesting.
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Do you think? I'm asking honestly. I really think the highest leaders or the CEO's are that 10% of pop (they say more now) that are/or straddle the line of sociopath. I think the majority of leaders (not all, there have been good and bad that have truly believed in the cause they served) are that genetic make up of people that understand logic over morals. There have already been many comparisons and studies.
EDIT: Just as they say the majority of radical Islam leaders don't really believe in 77 virgins (or whatever it is) they just know how to motivate.
Also remember, in a lot of these poorer countries, books are still a luxury. Knowledge is power, the leaders know, and use it. It's why they don't educate the public.
Saddam had access to everything we did (and probably more) but he knew his people didn't.
EDIT x2; I actually think the mindset of leaders is quite sane (though sociopthic and angry). If it wasn't we would have had a random nuclear strike already. They are just using their people.