Sex and Power: 'Powerful Men Have an Overactive Libido'

SPIEGEL ONLINE INTERNATIONAL: As the former head of the International Monetary Fund awaits trial in New York on sexual assault charges, SPIEGEL ONLINE speaks to Dutch socio[-]biologist Johan van der Dennen about the relationship between sex and power. Powerful men, van der Dennen says, "just take what they want."

SPIEGEL ONLINE: Those in positions of power have sex with the secretaries; they assault hotel maids, or at least are accused of such, and sleep with the nanny. Is there a normal percentage of oversexed people among powerful men, and it's just easier to notice their lapses, their misconduct, because they are so visible?

Van der Dennen: Both may be true. Powerful men have a both an overactive libido as compared to 'normal' men, but they are also more willing to gamble that they can get away with their sexual activities whenever and wherever. Power is a great aphrodisiac, as Kissinger said. Powerful men almost automatically expect other people to do their bidding. Sex is just part of that game. Powerful women also have larger-than-average sexual appetites.

SPIEGEL ONLINE: Would Clinton, Berlusconi, Strauss-Kahn and Schwarzenegger have done the same if they weren't in a position of power? Or is it the power itself that makes them do such things?

Van der Dennen: Undoubtedly men who eventually reach positions of power have strong ambitions in that direction and indeed a certain recklessness and even unscrupulousness. But, in my opinion, it is the position of power itself that makes men arrogant, narcissistic, egocentric, oversexed, paranoid, despotic, and craving even more power, though there are exceptions to this rule. Powerful men generally have a keen eye for female beauty and attractiveness, and women generally are attracted to powerful, successful, famous, and wealthy men. Every "willing" woman confirms the power of the powerful man. » | Interview conducted by Rafaela von Bredow | Friday, May 27, 2011

You Shouldn't Be Seen to Have Power: Cherie Blair's Astonishing Memo to Michelle Obama
MAIL Online: Cherie Blair has warned Michelle Obama that she faces having her views silenced as First Lady - and cannot be seen to wield power.

In an article entitled 'Memo to Michelle' the wife of Tony Blair tells Harvard-educated Mrs Obama that her primary role is to support her husband.

Mrs Blair says: 'A First Lady can have influence, but she cannot be seen to have power.' >>> By Paul Thompson | Tuesday, February 17, 2009

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Time to Stop Prime Ministers From Ruling Like Kings
THE OTTAWA CITIZEN: Define roles of politicians, public service in Constitution: professor

Canada's Constitution should be opened to rein in the power of prime ministers who rule like monarchs surrounded by a tight circle of courtiers, a leading scholar on public administration says.

Donald Savoie, a political economist at the University of Moncton, said Canada's political institutions are so broken that the role of the prime minister, ministers and the public service should be defined in the Constitution, rather than by unwritten constitutional conventions that haven't been working for years.

"There are no effective checks and balances from cabinet, the civil service or Parliament to protect prime ministers from grabbing power and abusing it," he said. "We now need to go farther and define in law the role of prime minister, ministers and the civil service."

He said the convention of the loyal and anonymous public servant is long gone and the time has come to give public servants the "personality" and the independence they need to say no to their political masters when pulled into the political arena. Time to Stop Prime Ministers From Ruling Like Kings, Expert Says >>> By Kathryn May | May 5, 2008

The Dawning of a New Dark Age (Paperback – Canada)
The Dawning of a New Dark Age (Hardback – Canada)