Are leaders inherently psychopathic?

[longship]

4. You beat me to that title

Sociopath is more accurate. Psychopath is more like a miswiring in the brain. Sociopathology is more of a cultural virus, a meme. But, I agree that it may be difficult to discern the difference. I like the research of Robert Altemeyer on the authoritarian personality. Former Nixon staffer John W. Dean wrote about this explicitly in reference to today's Republicans in his scathing exposé, Conservatives Without Conscience.

I think that what Dean has written here should be required reading for all who are fighting these battles against these Republicans. It is a very well researched book by an incredibly intelligent person.

Dean nails the sociopathy.