The Psychological Assessment of Political LeadersSenator Lodge blocked his campaign for ratification of the treaty,
Wilson refused any alteration or compromise, despite the urgings of
the staunchest supporters of the League, including Edward Gray (the
former British foreign minister) and even his own wife. In the course
of a frenzied national speaking tour on behalf of the treaty, Wilson
suffered a massive stroke that effectively ended his political career.
Table 2.1 illustrates these themes, along with some of the personal-
ity explanations and interpretations of them suggested by George
and George, as well as two other psychological analyses of Wilson
that will be discussed briefly later.
The Dynamics of Wilson's Self-Defeating Pattern
In formulating their analysis of the dynamics of Wilson's behavior,
the Georges drew on the classic theories of Alfred Acller and on Lass-
well's (1948, 44—49) formulation of power-seeking behavior as com-
pensation for inner doubts and low self-esteem (see also George
1968).^2 The Georges argued that the main dynamic or motive
underlying Wilson's phenomenology was a compulsive drive for power
and domination—a "deep-seated, unconscious interest in imposing
orderly systems upon others as a means of achieving a sense of power"
(1998, 38). Drawing on a variety of psychodynamic theories, they
described the workings of this dynamic in ways that certainly seem
to fit the Wilson pattern:
In the spheres of activity in which they seek power
gratifications, compulsives are sensitive to interference. They
may take advice badly.... Often they exhibit difficulties in
deputing work to others, being convinced... that they can do
everything... better than others. This conviction is sometimes
exaggerated to the point that they believe they are unique.
Negativeness, secretiveness and vindictiveness are traits often
displayed by compulsives. (33)
In elaborating their description of this dynamic, the Georges sug-
gested that Wilson's power drive actually concealed a "more basic
need for self-esteem, or security" (1998, 33). Thus their full dynamic
explanation, with psychological concepts emphasized, would be as
follows: Wilson was driven by (i) the need to dominate, which devel-
oped out of the need to restore and protect his (2) damaged self-esteem,