Power and Personality

work by Lasswell

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July 1, 2026

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Harold Lasswell's work, particularly Power and Personality (1948), explores the intricate relationship between power dynamics and individual psychology. Lasswell, a key figure in behavioral political science, viewed politics as the study of value distribution, with power being central to this process. He defined power as the ability to influence decisions and produce intended effects on others.1

In his psychological studies, such as Psychopathology and Politics (1930) and Power and Personality, Lasswell fused Freudian psychology with an analysis of power. He suggested that individuals with an inordinate need for power might be driven by personal frustrations or psychopathology, a notion that, while insightful, proved difficult to empirically verify. Lasswell advocated for a science of social policy to serve democratic ideals of justice.12

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Harold Lasswell
…and Personal Insecurity (1935); and Power and Personality (1948), which deals with the problem of power seekers who sublimate their personal frustrations in power. In these and later works, Lasswell moved toward a moralistic posture, calling for the social and biological sciences to reorient themselves toward a science of social…
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…and Personal Insecurity (1935); and Power and Personality (1948), which deals with the problem of power seekers who sublimate their personal frustrations in power. In these and later works, Lasswell moved toward a moralistic posture, calling for the social and biological sciences to reorient themselves toward a science of social…
Read More

political science
Developments in the United States
…Psychopathology and Politics (1930) and Power and Personality (1948) fused categories of Freudian psychology with considerations of power. Many political scientists attempted to use Freudian psychology to analyze politics, but none succeeded in establishing it as a firm basis of political science, because it depended too much on subjective insights…
Read More
…Psychopathology and Politics (1930) and Power and Personality (1948) fused categories of Freudian psychology with considerations of power. Many political scientists attempted to use Freudian psychology to analyze politics, but none succeeded in establishing it as a firm basis of political science, because it depended too much on subjective insights…
Read More