Nigel Farage, the former leader of the UK Independence Party (UKIP) and a central figure in the Brexit movement, has been a polarizing figure in British politics. Known for his charismatic yet contentious persona, Farage has often been accused of narcissistic traits by critics and commentators. This essay delves into the psychological underpinnings of Farage's behaviour through the lens of narcissism, drawing from peer-reviewed psychological literature to explore how his personality and actions potentially align with narcissistic tendencies.

Understanding Narcissism

• Narcissism, as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), involves a pervasive pattern of grandiosity, need for admiration, and a lack of empathy.

• Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) is characterized by several criteria, including an exaggerated sense of self-importance, preoccupation with fantasies of unlimited success, a belief of being unique and special, a requirement for excessive admiration, a sense of entitlement, interpersonally exploitative behaviour, lack of empathy, envy of others, and arrogant behaviour and attitudes (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).

Farage's Public Persona

Farage's public persona exhibits many characteristics associated with narcissism. His consistent self-promotion, need for public admiration, and frequent positioning of himself as a political outsider or maverick align closely with traits outlined in the DSM-5.

Grandiosity and Self-Importance

One of the hallmarks of narcissism is grandiosity, which involves an inflated sense of self-importance and a belief in one's superiority. Farage has repeatedly emphasized his role in the Brexit movement, often framing himself as the singular driving force behind the United Kingdom's decision to leave the European Union. His speeches and public appearances are replete with statements that highlight his self-perceived importance and pivotal role in shaping national events.

For instance, during the Brexit campaign, Farage often portrayed himself as the voice of the people, fighting against the political establishment. This narrative of being a crucial player in a historic movement underscores a grandiose self-view. His public statements frequently reflect this sentiment, as he positions himself as a political savior or revolutionary, terms that bolster his self-image as a transformative leader (Clarke, Goodwin, & Whiteley, 2017).

Need for Admiration

Narcissists typically have an insatiable need for admiration and validation from others. Farage's frequent media appearances, his active presence on social media, and his involvement in various public speaking engagements suggest a strong desire for admiration and recognition. His ability to captivate audiences with his rhetoric and his emphasis on personal achievements are indicative of this need for external validation.

Moreover, Farage's use of media to maintain his public profile even after stepping down from UKIP's leadership highlights his continuous quest for admiration. This behaviour aligns with research suggesting that narcissists often seek out public platforms to fulfill their need for attention and admiration (Grijalva & Zhang, 2016).

Exploitative Behaviour and Lack of Empathy

Narcissists often exhibit exploitative behaviour, using others to achieve their own ends, and display a notable lack of empathy. Farage's political strategies and interactions with colleagues provide insight into these traits.

Interpersonal Exploitativeness

Farage's leadership style within UKIP has been described as autocratic and domineering, with reports of him sidelining or ousting potential rivals. This tendency to exploit relationships for personal gain is a common trait among narcissists. Farage's ability to rally supporters and leverage their loyalty for political gain, while often disregarding the contributions of others, is indicative of this exploitative behaviour (Ford & Goodwin, 2014).

Lack of Empathy

Farage's public statements and policies often reflect a lack of empathy, particularly towards immigrants and minority groups. His hardline stance on immigration and the inflammatory rhetoric used during the Brexit campaign have been criticized for fostering division and xenophobia. This lack of consideration for the experiences and feelings of others is consistent with narcissistic tendencies.

Research indicates that narcissists typically struggle with empathy, as their self-centered worldview impairs their ability to relate to others' emotions and experiences (Wai & Tiliopoulos, 2012). Farage's dismissive attitude towards those who oppose his views or who are affected by his policies further underscores this lack of empathy.

Entitlement and Arrogance

Entitlement and arrogance are also central features of narcissism. Farage's behaviour often reflects a sense of entitlement, particularly in his expectations of political success and recognition.

Sense of Entitlement

Farage's repeated attempts to gain a seat in the UK Parliament, despite numerous electoral defeats, highlight a sense of entitlement. His persistence in seeking a political role and his criticism of the political system when unsuccessful suggest a belief that he deserves a place in the political arena, regardless of the electoral outcomes. This sense of entitlement is a characteristic trait of narcissistic personalities, who often believe they are owed success and recognition (Miller et al., 2011).

Arrogant Attitudes

Farage's public demeanor often exudes arrogance, from his dismissive remarks about other politicians to his confident assertions about his own political beliefs. This arrogance is evident in his interactions with the media and his opponents, where he often presents his views as superior and dismisses alternative perspectives. Such behaviour is emblematic of narcissistic arrogance, where individuals exhibit an inflated sense of their own importance and capabilities (Raskin & Terry, 1988).

Simply Put

Nigel Farage's public behaviour and personality traits align closely with the characteristics of narcissism as outlined in psychological literature. His grandiosity, need for admiration, exploitative behaviour, lack of empathy, sense of entitlement, and arrogance are indicative of a narcissistic personality. Understanding these traits through a psychological lens provides insight into his political strategies and interactions with others, offering a deeper comprehension of his impact on British politics.

References

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing. Psychiatry.org - DSM

Clarke, H. D., Goodwin, M., & Whiteley, P. (2017). Brexit: Why Britain Voted to Leave the European Union. Cambridge University Press. https://amzn.to/4bplMVO

Ford, R., & Goodwin, M. (2014). Revolt on the Right: Explaining Support for the Radical Right in Britain. Routledge. Revolt on the Right: Explaining Support for the Radical Right in Brita (routledge.com)

Grijalva, E., & Zhang, L. (2016). Narcissism and self-insight: A review and meta-analysis of narcissists’ self-enhancement tendencies. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 42(1), 3-24. Narcissism and Self-Insight: A Review and Meta-Analysis of Narcissists' Self-Enhancement Tendencies - PubMed (nih.gov)

Miller, J. D., Campbell, W. K., & Pilkonis, P. A. (2007). Narcissistic personality disorder: Relations with distress and functional impairment. Comprehensive Psychiatry, 48(2), 170-177. Narcissistic personality disorder: relations with distress and functional impairment - PubMed (nih.gov)

Miller, J. D., Gentile, B., Carter, N. T., & Campbell, W. K. (2011). A comparison of the DSM-5 and DSM-IV-TR diagnostic criteria for narcissistic personality disorder. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 120(3), 553-560. Narcissistic personality disorder and the DSM-V - PubMed (nih.gov)

Raskin, R., & Terry, H. (1988). A principal-components analysis of the Narcissistic Personality Inventory and further evidence of its construct validity. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 54(5), 890-902. A principal-components analysis of the Narcissistic Personality Inventory and further evidence of its construct validity. (apa.org)

Wai, M., & Tiliopoulos, N. (2012). The affective and cognitive empathic nature of narcissists. Personality and Individual Differences, 52(3), 293-298. The affective and cognitive empathic nature of the dark triad of personality | Request PDF (researchgate.net)