Corruptible

More about the book

Klaas is a unique political scientist who combines engaging storytelling with insightful analysis to explore a fundamental question: must we be governed by bad people? He examines whether power corrupts or if corrupt individuals are simply drawn to power, and whether tyrants are made or born. Drawing from over 500 interviews with a diverse array of leaders, including presidents, philanthropists, rebels, and dictators, the narrative delves into the complexities of human behavior in power dynamics. Through intriguing historical and social science examples, readers encounter a range of figures, from a notorious bioterrorist to a ski instructor who once ruled Iraq, and even a yogurt kingpin from Madagascar. The book reveals how our primitive instincts influence our leadership choices and discusses the implications of these findings for modern governance. It challenges readers to reconsider their assumptions about leadership and offers a roadmap for reforming systems to attract better leaders and ensure that power acts as a purifying force rather than a corrupting one.