A Closer Look with Pam Atherton

Dr. Kara Cooney returns to discuss her new & provocative book The Good Kings: Absolute Power in Ancient Egypt and the Modern World. The book covers 5 Egyptian pharaohs – or kings, if you will – and discusses the concepts surrounding power: how is it earned, who controls it, and why the many often give up power to the few.  Oh… and does any of that correlate to our modern life?

Dr. Cooney tells us how authoritarianism starts, how that power is maintained, and if she is seeing signs of it in the world today. Plus - what people gain from aligning with corrupt leaders and why cognitive dissonance is important to allow corrupt leadership to continue.

We also discuss how in the past women had equal power to men in some areas (would you believe Los Angeles, 300 years ago?!)  And why we are starting to ask what is power, what is value, and why is there so much sexual abuse.

So. Much. Fascinating. Information.  Dr. Cooney will give you lots to think about, I promise.

Direct download: Kara_Cooney_11-21.mp3
Category:Natonal Geographic -- posted at: 6:57pm MDT