SIGMUND Freud suggested that a leader’s behavior and decision-making skill were largely determined by the interaction in their personality of the id, ego and superego, and their control of the pleasure principle and reality principle. 

State elections are around the corner and the noise will reach a deafening crescendo soon. Most people will vote based on political affiliation and don’t understand why – and the politicians know that. 

Politicians should be people who are motivated by national interest and think beyond the five-year term, but questions arise on whether there is more self-interest than inclusive interest. 

As voters, do we want to choose leaders based on traits or motives?  

For traits, it should be a model candidate with desired leadership principles and who is more emotionally stable, extravert-assertive, and transparent, mediated by a core ideological world view. Not a “katak di bawah tempurung”. 

In terms of political psychology, motivation is viewed as goal-oriented behavior driven by a need for power, affiliation, intimacy, and achievement.  

But then, individual behavior is totally different in a group setting as it has to lean to parties’ ideological leanings.  

Most of us make a mistake thinking that a politician would act in a certain way as many ordinary people do. Sad to say, politicians act differently. 

Some decide to pursue a political career due to a desire to initiate change. After witnessing injustices, tired of the ineptitude of current representatives, they think they can do better. At this point, hunger for power and attention may not be a consideration yet. They are more idealistic than realistic. 

As they move on, competition creeps in and they are capable of stepping on a few toes along the way. Hunger for power, the money game and self-interest begin to appear. They will start looking for a constituency where they are guaranteed a win and start doing less for their constituents. 

Wouldn’t it be great if politicians had to take personality tests at this stage, to see what’s behind the smiles and show of empathy – and post the results for the world to see?  

As for voters, their vote choice is shifting from choosing between parties to choosing between candidates and coalitions.  

Voters generally want to be represented by their politicians on traits that are conventionally associated with good leadership and expect politicians to be more capable than themselves. 

But many politicians will be “playing with your mind”. 

Voters will prioritise values but many have short-term memory. Politicians know that some people may forget stuff stored in their long-term memory and manipulate them. They will give them food and money that will only last a day or two. 

Voters need to remember why they said they were not going to vote and all of a sudden, plan to vote. Think back about the reasons. Do not let politicians who play on short-term memory to be elected.  

Fiery and fancy speeches tend to attract voters but we need to keep track of their promises to improve lives. And for incumbents, measure their actual performance.  

Some politicians are gifted in public speaking, but in getting the job done, they falter. Who will then be there to complete the job? 

Today, we need fundamental changes in our education system, delivery system, and much more. Are we being empowered? 

Politicians know how to entertain you when they are not performing. 

If some of these politicians were in the private sector, they would have been sacked a long time ago because all they do is talk. 

Voters should speak their mind and not fall for political games. Show them you know what games they are playing. 

All this while, did we elect the “wrong” politicians? 

We don’t need craven elites who are self-interested, unprincipled, and ambitious, which leads to political apathy, political inefficacy, and democratic despondency. 

Sadly, today, politicians engage in unconscious rationalisation to justify their political positions, portraying their views as wise, benevolent, and principled while casting opponents’ views as thoughtless and greedy. 

It is democratically necessary to remember that politicians are neither a homogenised group of saints nor sinners.  

“Allah has promised to those among you who believe and do righteous deeds that He will assuredly make them succeed (the present) rulers and grant them vicegerency in the land just as He made those before them to succeed (others)” (Quran – Surah An-Nur:55). – June 26, 2023. 

* Saleh Mohammed reads The Malaysian Insight.  

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.