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Political scientists are well acquainted with madman theory, but have we defined "dementia theory" yet?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madman_theory

Irrational and volatile as a play-act is one thing, actually being irrational and volatile is a whole other ball game...

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I guess I'm the past, rulers old enough for that also usually collected enough other health issues to be largely inactive. I can think of a few cases where countries had to wait a year or so for the old ruler to die, but not another case where they were still active while demented. Maybe Ivan the terrible? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivan_the_Terrible_and_His_Son_...

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