Dancing on the edge of madness

In politics, madness may not just be a psychological state, but a tactical tool used to confuse opponents into making concessions. This idea, known as the “madman theory,” is attributed to former U.S. President Richard Nixon, who tried to convince the North Vietnamese that he would do anything to end the war, even if it meant using nuclear weapons. The strategy didn’t work, however, as the Vietnam War dragged on for years afterward, proving that feigning madness isn’t always the key to success.

Today, the world finds itself faced with another controversial leader with his unexpected style: Donald Trump, the 47th President of the United States of America, who recently announced his desire to turn the Gaza Strip into a “Middle Eastern Riviera,” suggesting that hotels and golf courses could be built under his name. This statement, as impossible or absurd as it may seem, reflects Trump’s view of the world as a real estate and money game, where politics is nothing more than an extension of the “Monopoly” mentality. But the question remains: Is Trump really crazy, or is he just playing the role of a madman for political gain?

This strategy is not new. It has been used by other leaders, such as Muammar Gaddafi, who used his eccentric behavior to intimidate his opponents, only to end up isolated and killed by his own people. Adolf Hitler adopted a similar approach, appearing to push the boundaries of conventional politics, achieving quick gains, but ultimately leading to global disaster. And Mao Zedong, who pursued seemingly crazy policies under the guise of reform, but which only led to economic ruin and widespread suffering.

In this context, the name of Vladimir Putin is raised, whose recent actions have raised questions about his mental stability. From his long white table to his belligerent speeches, he seems to be following the approach of a madman. But according to sources close to him, Putin is not so much a madman as a skilled player who knows how to use threats and outbidding to maintain his power. The problem with this strategy, however, is that it can turn from mere acting to reality. Those who pretend to be mad for too long may actually become mad.

But the dangerous thing about this game is that those who dance on the edge of madness may slip into it without realizing it. When deception becomes a habit, the line between acting and reality fades, and political maneuvering turns into real chaos. In the end, madness is not a weapon that can be controlled, but a fire that burns whoever ignites it first.

Politics is not just a gamble, but it requires a deep understanding of the limits that can be crossed without losing control. Pretending to be crazy may work in the short term, but it often ends in disaster, because the world is not naive, and everyone soon realizes that whoever threatens chaos is either not serious, or he really does not have the ability to back down.