“But although the cliche says that power always corrupts, what is seldom said … is that power always reveals. When a man is climbing, trying to persuade others to give him power, concealment is necessary. … But as a man obtains more power, camouflage becomes less necessary.”
― Robert A. Caro, The Passage of Power
Robert Caro, in his exploration of power dynamics in “The Passage of Power,” a volume of his extensive biography of Lyndon B. Johnson, offers a nuanced perspective on the nature of power and its effects on individuals. The quote encapsulates one of Caro’s central themes: the transformative and revelatory nature of power.
Caro argues against the commonplace notion that “power corrupts” as an absolute, instead suggesting that power has the capacity to reveal the true character and intentions of individuals. This perspective shifts the focus from power as a corrupting force to power as a force that unmasks.
The first part of the quote discusses the ascent to power. Caro observes that when individuals are on their way up the ladder of power, they often need to conceal their true intentions and character to persuade others to grant them power. This concealment is a strategic maneuver, ensuring that they do not alienate potential allies or supporters.
However, the latter part of the quote highlights a shift that occurs once power is secured. Caro notes that as individuals gain power, the necessity for camouflage diminishes. This is because their position allows them more freedom to act according to their true nature without fearing loss of power or needing to court favor as intensely as before. Essentially, power provides a buffer that makes the individual feel less compelled to hide their true colors.
In Lyndon Johnson’s case, his years as a congressman and senator were marked by a deep understanding of the inner workings of power in Washington. He knew how to get things done, but he also knew how to conceal his ruthless ambition and manipulative tendencies behind a veil of Southern charm and persuasion.
But as he ascended to the highest echelons of power—first as Senate Majority Leader, then as Vice President, and finally as President—the true nature of Lyndon Johnson became increasingly apparent. His domineering personality, his cruelty towards subordinates, his insatiable appetite for control—all of these traits, once carefully hidden, now came to the fore.
Analyzing this, Caro’s insight offers a profound commentary on political and leadership dynamics. It suggests that observers can learn much about a leader’s true self by watching how they change once they have obtained power. This transformation can reveal virtues, vices, aspirations, and fears that were previously concealed.
In essence, Caro’s statement encourages us to be observant of how individuals handle power. It prompts us to question whether individuals change because they are corrupted by power or whether they simply reveal who they have always been, now that they no longer need to hide it. This perspective is especially relevant in political analysis, leadership studies, and broadly in understanding human behavior in positions of authority.
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