Dark Politics

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Recent years have seen the rise of abrasive and controversial political figures who introduce an uncivil tone into political debate. From Trump in the USA to Bolsonaro in Brazil, these leaders adopt a transgressive style characterized by spectacular acts, exaggeration, and calculated provocations. This exploration delves into the emergence of antagonistic political figures globally. Utilizing data from 100 recent elections, post-election surveys, and original experimental evidence, the authors present a large-scale comparative investigation into the "darker" sides of human personality in politics, focusing on the "Dark Triad" of narcissism, psychopathy, and Machiavellianism. The findings reveal that such traits are prevalent among populists and correlate with aggressive campaign rhetoric, resonating with voters who exhibit similar dark traits. Dark candidates are more likely to succeed when running as incumbents and may be associated with better economic performance if elected. However, their leadership can also foster public cynicism, democratic deconsolidation, and a poorer response to crises like the COVID-19 pandemic. This work offers a fresh perspective on contemporary politics by examining the significant influence of dark personality traits in both leaders and voters.