Power, Perception, and the Drama Triangle

In 1968, psychologist Stephen Karpman introduced the Drama Triangle, a deceptively simple model of human interaction involving three psychological roles: Victim, Persecutor, and Rescuer. Originally developed to help therapists understand patterns of dysfunction in personal relationships, the Drama Triangle also offers a disturbingly accurate lens for understanding how certain individuals—especially political leaders—can manipulate people by appealing to these roles to consolidate power.

Note: The Drama Triangle was never intended as a model for deliberate manipulation or mass persuasion. It was designed to describe the recurring roles individuals fall into during unhealthy personal interactions. This article adapts—and perhaps even stretches—that framework to explore how skilled political figures exploit these roles in others to manipulate public perception and consolidate power.

With the above note in mind, let’s explore the points of the Drama Triangle and how people living within it may be psychologically manipulated.

At the top of the triangle sits the Persecutor—the figure who dominates through control, aggression, and blame. Persecutors project strength and authority, often appearing as decisive “fixers” unafraid to take charge. But beneath the surface, their power comes from coercion, intimidation, and scapegoating.

Political manipulators who appeal to the Persecutor mindset adopt a strongman image. They carry out acts of cruelty or domination, earning admiration from those who see such attributes as strength. They talk at length about the loss of true manhood and often subscribe to misogynistic attitudes.

Victims gain power through moral authority and emotional vulnerability. They often see themselves as unfairly treated or oppressed, and they attract sympathy and solidarity by pointing out the system's inherent unfairness. They long for the “good old days” when things were somehow better than today.

Political manipulators gain influence over Victims by fueling this sense of injustice, usually without naming a clear oppressor. In fact, they often avoid specifics because naming names would expose the thinness of their argument. Instead, the oppressor becomes an amorphous “them.” This vagueness is intentional and effective. When truth becomes too inconvenient, ambiguity becomes the weapon of choice.

Then there’s the Rescuer. The Rescuer plays the hero. Rescuers promise salvation, comfort, and support.

Manipulators gain influence over Rescuers by presenting themselves as the only one who can "fix" the system or “restore” the nation’s soul. They imply that others are too weak, “woke,” or misguided to do it themselves.

The most dangerous leaders can manipulate people at each point of the triangle. Though it may sound trite and overused, one historical example is Adolf Hitler. In his early rise, he appealed to the Rescuer, offering purpose to disaffected citizens in post–World War I Germany. He soon shifted to manipulating the Victim mentality, portraying the German people as unfairly persecuted by the Treaty of Versailles and the supposed betrayal of Jews and other “outsiders.” As his power solidified, he appealed to Persecutors, wielding control without remorse and brutally eliminating opposition. Hitler effectively walked an entire nation through all points of the Drama Triangle, from Rescuer to Victim to Persecutor. The nation ultimately paid a heavy price.

Hitler’s story is not unique to history. Echoes of this pattern are all around us.

Consider, for example, Senator Josh Hawley, who recently gave a speech at Liberty University portraying Christianity as a Victim—persecuted, marginalized, and under attack by a hostile culture. Notably, he failed to identify a single individual or institution responsible for this alleged oppression. This omission reflects a key element of modern political manipulation: perception becomes reality. The narrative doesn’t require evidence—it only needs to feel true.

By framing Christianity as a Victim, Hawley taps into a powerful emotional undercurrent. He rallies support around a shared sense of grievance, subtly pointing to the government as the implied oppressor, without ever needing to name names.

The danger lies in what follows. When leaders invoke Victimhood without specifics or accountability, it often paves the way for a shift into the Persecutor role, where they justify retaliation or “rescue” as a response to the threat.

This is the stuff that brings down entire governments.

This tactic of shifting from Victim into the Persecutor role is neither new nor isolated. In fact, it has become a recurring pattern among politicians who engage in emotional manipulation to gain support while evading accountability. This explains why these manipulators often evade consequences for criminal behaviors, including bribery, extortion, rape, and murder—because in the world of the Persecutor, such acts are perceived as an innate part of their role. It defines them and earns admiration from their followers. Tragically, it also leads to these acts being emulated by their followers.

Understanding the Drama Triangle not only helps us recognize dysfunctional personal relationships but also keeps us vigilant in our politics. When we hear a politician claim they alone can fix problems or that they are the sole defense against a sinister, undefined threat, we should pause and ask ourselves: Which role are they playing, and how are they using it to manipulate people?

Karpman's Drama Triangle might have been developed for therapy rooms, but in today's climate, it's just as essential for the voting booth and the public square. Because when we understand how the game is played, we’re less likely to become pawns in it.