Populism and Political Personality: What Can We Learn from The Dark Triad Personality of Hermann Goering?

Utilising a case study of Hermann Goering’s character and behaviour, this paper examines the darkest personality within the dark triad of personalities— that of the psychopath—and discusses what can be expected from their leadership. The psychopathic leader’s appeal to a large minority of voters is discussed along side a discussion of whether they can be reliably identified, and if so, whether in the interests of global security and sustainability, psychopaths could be screened out of running for high political office