Why Donald Trump is Successful

Charisma is defined as a compelling attractiveness or charm that can inspire devotion in others.  It is also often considered an inborn quality, an almost divinely conferred talent or power.  Other synonyms for charisma are presence, aura and personality. Unfortunately in common usage charisma also has a shade of manipulation in it.

So is there a good charisma and a dark charisma?  Just like there is a good archetype and a shadow archetype. I definitely think so.  Think of Star Wars. Both Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker are equally charismatic. Otherwise there is no reason why a Hitler or  Trump can appeal to the millions because all rational analysis proves that characters like Trump and Hitler are not perhaps the best for the world?  How then do they acquire such a large following of believers?

The Shadow Archetype

But first of all let me expound on the shadow archetype.  The shadow archetype as proposed by Carl Jung contains repressed parts of the human personality.  The shadow is the counterpart of the Freudian unconscious.

Archetype                                            Shadow

Magician                                               Sorcerer

Warrior                                                 Destroyer

Patriarch                                               Dictator

Joker                                                      Fool

Sage                                                        Hermit

Enchantress                                          Witch

Ruler                                                       Tyrant

How is Trump making the Americans feel special?

Hitler made people feel very special by telling the Germans they were Aryans and therefore a very special race.

Trump is making Americans feel special with his M & M philosophy. ( keep the Muslims and the Mexicans out )

Most of the things that Hitler did were undemocratic.

While Trump makes a lot of comments that appeal to the Americans, a number his comments are unconstitutional and therefore undemocratic.

Some Atrocious Trumpisms

“I will build a great wall – and nobody builds walls better than me, believe me – and I’ll build them very inexpensively. I will build a great, great wall on our southern border, and I will make Mexico pay for that wall. Mark my words.” 

"They're not coming to this country if I'm president. And if Obama has brought some to this country they are leaving, they're going, they're gone."

Some Deviant Hitlerisms

“If you tell a big enough lie and tell it frequently enough, it will be believed.”

“Great liars are also great magicians.” 

“Kill, Destroy, Sack, Tell lies; how much you want after victory nobody asks why?” 

Hitler's Political Career : 

Archetype Journey : Hero ----Ruler -----Tyrant

If one looks at Hitlers political career he started his political career like a Hero.  That popularity and affection from the people of Germany made him the Chancellor of Germany and therefore the Ruler archetype.  But then eventually he gave in to his dark side, giving in to the repressed parts of his personality and ended his political career as a Tyrant.

Donald Trump's Journey? 

Jeffrey Kluger in the latest TIME magazine 'What Donald Trump can teach you about the Narcissists in your Life' quotes Jennifer Bosson of the University of Florida '“Narcissists self-aggrandize, manipulate, derogate and exploit because deep down inside they actually dislike themselves. Not only does this answer make intuitive sense to many, it also fits nicely with current thinking about people’s introspective access to their own inner selves.” Kruger adds 'It is, in some ways, the most painful kind of narcissism, driven by a deep need to fill an even deeper psychic hole'

Leaders capable of charming their followers can become addicted to their love After the initial honeymoon period is over, they crave for the love from the public which typically distracts them from their goals.  So there is a good chance that charismatic leaders can remain deluded. 

Trump could go much the same way as Hitler. He is already a Hero.  If elected President he will no doubt become a Ruler.  The question is whether he will stay a Ruler or give in to his dark side to become the Tyrant.

That is the key question that America needs to ask itself.

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