I think manipulation is a form of influencing where the tactics used by the influencer are devious and deceptive. The manipulator victimizes someone and gains something, while his victim loses something or does not get what he thought he would.
There are different theories of ethics. The ethical theory/principle that I like in this respect is the “greater good “one. It roughly says that it is okay to harm some individuals for the benefit of the majority. My beliefs tend to align with this principle. If a leader is working to the benefit of the masses, he may use some of his “weapons” to harm or manipulate the few who may be blocking his way.
My beliefs about this subject have a lot to do with my study of M. Kemal Ataturk, who is known as the “Great Leader Ataturk” in Turkey, or the “Father of the Turks.” He envisioned a “Country of the Turks” arising from the ruins of the Ottoman Empire, which was defeated at the end of World War I. The empire had surrendered to the British, the French, and the Greeks; the country was divided up and occupied by the victorious. That is when M. Kemal left his post in the defeated Ottoman army, “escaped” to Anatolia, and started his journey toward his vision. He went from one village to the other and talked to the Imams (priests). He told them that “the heathen” had occupied the country, the future of Islam was in danger, and he had a plan to fight them. The Imams made sure that all able men in their villages enlisted with M. Kemal and joined the “resistance forces.” M. Kemal was not a religious person at all. He believed that the religion was responsible for the collapse of the empire. In fact, one of the first things he did when he founded Turkiye was to exile the “Khalif” (equivalent of Pope in Islam) and all his family, and declare the country to be a secular republic. [Did imams feel manipulated?]. Within six months he had built himself an army, but did not have any weapons. He got the weapons from Russians (Bolsheviks). After he reached his objective, he told his people: “Bolshevism is your greatest enemy. Kill it.” [I wonder how Bolsheviks felt about their investment in him]. He fought the French, Greek, and the British forces, and recovered what is now Turkiye- Country of the Turks. He formed a secular republic, and started a series of social reforms to convert a backward country into a western-oriented, secular country. He got resistance from some people; they did not want to give up their turbans. He had them hanged at street corners. [Nothing ethical about executing people for wanting to wear what they want].
He is the Great Leader for Turks. But, not for all the Turks. Islamists hate him and cannot wait to erase his name from history. I think his pictures will continue to hang everywhere in Turkiye, until he is not the Great Leader of the majority any more.
M. Kemal had a vision for his people and used every possible “weapon” in his arsenal (including influence, manipulation, false promises, and force) to have people adopt his vision and follow him to get there. The ones who opposed him got killed. The people who think he was a great leader totally overlook all the “bad” things he did. To them, it was the price of the freedom. But, just think: What if he turned out to be another Stalin or Hitler, or worse? How would his followers feel?
You offered a completely different perspective to the topic of manipulation and influence. When you become a successful leader and have the opportunity to use positive influence to bring good to society, will you accept it or turn it away? I agree that people overlook the hidden skeletons of great leaders, but I hope that this doesn't stop you from using your "weapons" for positive change.
ReplyDeleteHi Christine,
ReplyDeleteYou make a very good point that leaders who reach their objective and gain trust of their followers should use their enhanced influence to further benefit the society. The reason why I am so fascinated with M. Kemal is that he is the only person I know of (admittedly, I do not know all the great leaders of the World)who dedicated his life, from his youth to his death, to the good of his people. And he never stopped thinking about what he could do for his people, and nothing could stop him once he decided what he had to do. One point I was trying to make, though, is that only his followers who believed in his vision thought he was working for the good of his people. Others were and still are trying to undermine and reverse his reforms. So, I think it really is a very deep question if the line between good and bad in relation to leadership and influence is a thin or a very thick line. I would love to talk to you all about this subject; a little warning, though: you cannot stop me once I start talking about Ataturk.
I really liked the history that you brought up in discussing this issue. It was very interesting and I had never heard about it before. I agree with you that it is ok to manipulate a few people if it is for the good of the majority. But I only believe this if this manipulation does not harm people physically, emotionally or otherwise. It sounds like Kemal really did want to help his people, and that was what he strived to do. But he went about it in a way that hurt a lot of people. It sounds like a lot of these people could have been innocents that were just standing up for their beliefs. I like that he was willing to do whatever it took to help his people, but it's too bad he couldn't find a way to do this a little more peacefully. I would have no problem with his manipulation if it had not resulted in loss of life.
ReplyDeleteYou might have heard or seen the movie "Gallipoli." M. Kemal was the commander of the Turkish forces, and he was not going to let the British go through Dardanelles and occupy Istanbul. He made a speech to his soldiers, saying: "I am not asking you to fight, I am asking you to die for your country." He send his troops, wave after wave, to be cut down. Five hundred thousand Turks were killed. One of them was my Grandfather. At the end, British gave up and went home. The British parliment had to resign. If you have seen the movie, you would know what I am talking about. So, what is a few people's lives, when millions have already been lost?
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