4 ms·
> spend time identifying how people use tactics to assert and obtain power Other than just being aware and observant and learning through experience, are there
by adrianmonk 4y ago
> spend time identifying how people use tactics to assert and obtain power
Other than just being aware and observant and learning through experience, are there any good resources for this? "Art of War" maybe? Something from fields like psychology or sociology?
- ducttapecrown 4y agoRead history books, like a biography of Julius Caesar. Read critical theory like the Communist Manifesto and read about the work of Foucault. Read critical history books like Why Nations Fail and A People's History of the United States by Howard Zinn. Some philosophy like Aristotle's Politics, Kant's categorical imperative and Rawl's veil of ignorance are also helpful I think.
- 0x20cowboy 4y agoThe worst book I’ve ever read in my life (that made me lose almost all my faith in humanity) but describes how manipulative people behave is “The 48 laws of power”. I wish I hadn’t read it, but at least I know. I recommend reading some Taoist or Stoic books after to keep from becoming deeply depressed.
- robonerd 4y agoThere are some good lessons in Art of War that I think are broadly applicable, particularly the admonishment against making others feel like they've been backed into a corner. Give people an out, some way to save face, and you can avoid a lot of drama.
- daenz 4y agoI'd echo the 48 laws of power. It gives a good insight into the common power games. A sibling comment had a bad experience with it, I was fine with it, but YMMV