Humanity is a paradox. We are capable of immense kindness and cooperation, yet history is littered with examples of suspicion, hatred, and division. Why is it that we can be so easily manipulated to hate and fear others? Why do we repeatedly fall for the same tricks—dehumanising whole groups, justifying violence, and excusing oppression?
At the heart of this lies a troubling truth: hatred, far from being an accident of human nature, is deliberately cultivated. Narcissistic and sociopathic leaders weaponise our innate psychological tendencies for their own ends, while modern media turns hatred into a lucrative business. The result? A cycle of division and conflict that serves the few, at the expense of the many.
Let’s explore why this happens and how we can break free.
We Like to Think We’re Good—But Suspect Others Aren’t
It’s a comforting thought: “I’m one of the good ones.” We tell ourselves we have good intentions, that we act in ways that are just and moral. But when it comes to others—particularly those who don’t look, act, or think like us—suspicion creeps in. We assume their motives are darker, their intentions worse.
This is no coincidence. It’s a by-product of how our brains are wired. Psychologists have long observed that humans tend to divide people into “us” and “them”. It’s a mental shortcut, developed over millennia of evolution, to quickly assess who is friend or foe. But in modern society, this shortcut often leads us astray.
When we see others as part of an “out-group”, we’re more likely to attribute their actions to inherent flaws rather than circumstances—a phenomenon known as the fundamental attribution error. For example, if someone from our own group behaves rudely, we might excuse it as stress or a bad day. If someone from an out-group does the same, we’re more likely to think they’re just a bad person.
This bias isn’t just irrational—it’s dangerous. It lays the groundwork for mistrust, division, and, ultimately, hatred.
The Leaders Who Profit from Division
Some leaders—particularly those with narcissistic or sociopathic traits—have a knack for exploiting this human vulnerability. They present the world in black-and-white terms: a battle of “good versus evil”. Conveniently, they cast themselves as the saviours and their opponents as existential threats.
It’s a strategy that thrives on fear and polarisation. By creating a sense of “us versus them”, these leaders solidify their power. Their followers, gripped by fear of the “other”, are less likely to question policies or decisions, no matter how harmful.
One method they use is the “dog whistle”. This coded language appeals to certain groups without overtly alienating others. For instance, phrases like “take back control” or “protect our way of life” may sound benign, but they often carry exclusionary undertones. These messages stoke division while giving the leader plausible deniability.
This manipulation isn’t new. History is rife with examples of leaders who’ve used hate to further their ambitions. From the dehumanisation of Jews in Nazi Germany to the portrayal of Tutsis as “cockroaches” in Rwanda, these tactics have paved the way for unspeakable violence. The pattern is chillingly consistent: dehumanise, divide, destroy.
Hate for Profit: The Media’s Role
In today’s world, hatred is no longer just a tool for political gain—it’s big business. Social media platforms, driven by algorithms that prioritise engagement, amplify divisive content because it generates clicks, likes, and shares. Anger, outrage, and fear keep people glued to their screens, which translates into advertising revenue.
The traditional media isn’t blameless either. Sensationalist headlines and outrage-driven commentary have become staples of modern journalism. It’s easier (and more profitable) to stoke emotions than to encourage thoughtful debate.
Politicians exploit this environment to their advantage. They tap into the heightened emotions stirred by media narratives, positioning themselves as protectors against fabricated threats. The result? A vicious cycle where division feeds profits, and profits feed more division.
The Illusion of Moral Superiority
Most of us believe we’re on the right side of history. We see ourselves as moral and just, which makes it easier to justify our actions—even when they cause harm. This phenomenon, known as moral self-licensing, allows people to harbour prejudice or support oppressive policies while still believing they are “good”.
But here’s the catch: while we see ourselves as good, we rarely extend the same assumption to others. Instead, we view those with different beliefs or backgrounds as motivated by malice or ignorance. This simplistic, black-and-white thinking prevents us from understanding the complexities of others’ perspectives. Worse, it makes us susceptible to manipulation by those who seek to divide us.
From Hate to Violence
When leaders dehumanise others and present them as existential threats, the unthinkable becomes thinkable. Acts of violence are reframed as necessary, even noble. This was evident in the Holocaust, where propaganda depicted Jews as vermin, and in the Rwandan Genocide, where Tutsis were labelled as subhuman.
While such atrocities may feel distant, the same dynamics are at play in less extreme scenarios. When society normalises hate—whether through rhetoric, media, or politics—it erodes empathy and makes violence more likely.
Breaking the Cycle
So, how do we stop the manipulation and commodification of hate? The first step is awareness. Understanding our own biases—like the tendency to demonise others and assume bad intentions—can help us approach social conflicts with empathy and nuance.
Education is equally vital. Media literacy and critical thinking skills can equip people to recognise and resist divisive rhetoric. Schools, workplaces, and communities all have a role to play in fostering understanding and dialogue.
Finally, we must hold leaders accountable. Politicians and media figures who exploit hatred for profit or power should face scrutiny and consequences. Their actions are not just harmful—they’re corrosive to the very fabric of society.
A Better Path Forward
Humanity’s capacity for hatred may be a product of evolution, but it is not an inevitability. By recognising and challenging the forces that exploit our psychological flaws, we can build a society where empathy triumphs over fear and division.
The path is not easy. But as history has shown, when people stand together against hatred, even the most entrenched divisions can be overcome. The question is: will we rise to the challenge?
References
- Tajfel, H., & Turner, J. C. (1979). An Integrative Theory of Intergroup Conflict. Social Psychology of Intergroup Relations.
- Haslam, N. (2006). Dehumanisation: An Integrative Review. Personality and Social Psychology Review.
- Bartlett, J., & Miller, C. (2012). The Power of Unreason: Conspiracy Theories, Extremism and Counter-Terrorism. Demos.
- Rothschild, Z. K., & Keefer, L. A. (2017). A Cleansing Fire: Moral Outrage Alleviates Guilt and Buffers Threats to One’s Moral Identity. Motivation and Emotion.
- Zuboff, S. (2019). The Age of Surveillance Capitalism: The Fight for a Human Future at the New Frontier of Power. PublicAffairs.
- Staub, E. (1989). The Roots of Evil: The Origins of Genocide and Other Group Violence. Cambridge University Press.