King Joffrey Would Have (Eventually) Become a Good King

Power corrupts (Conceded) Since “corruption” is a heavily negative term, Pro concedes that Joffrey would get worse, and, thus, essentially, concedes the debate. Psychopathy I’ll drop my blog source since all I need is contained in Pro’s sources. Unless Pro can prove that psychopaths are good persons, I’m not sure how he can argue Joffrey being a psychopath would make him a good king. Even if Joffrey was effective, that wouldn’t mean he’s good. Joffrey is a psychopath because he fits extremely well with the characteristics described in Pro's source. But nothing in the definition necessitates rationality. Joffrey is clearly irrational and Pro already accepted that fact. Pro’s source depicts two sides to psychopathy: violent criminals, murderers, and rapists, Vs. "exceptional persuasiveness, captivating charm, and razor sharp focus under immense pressure". Joffrey is a stereotypical horror film psychopath and a psycho to the extreme. He's a criminal psycho, not a calm, rational, leader. If psychopathy has any positive traits, they are of the more moderate cases. Nothing in Pro's source implies a consensus on the value of psychopahty. Change OK, extensive psychological treatment can change a psychopath. But there's no chance at all that Joffrey would ever acquiesce to treatment. Tywin’s sage advice is the most treatment Joffery would ever get and Joffrey recognizes no faults in himself. Years have passed since Joffrey displayed his brattiness at Winterfell, and he’s only gotten more cruel. Pro's source claims "the core personality traits of psychopaths are exceedingly difficult to change”. That verdict applies to psychopaths in general. Joffrey is on much more the extreme level & as a person in power, it would be more than exeedingly difficult to change Joffrey. In other words, it would be essentially impossible. Joffrey could not handle the problems plauging Westeros Ignored by Pro. Maturity Joffrey was old enough to marry. Cersei had ceased to be Queen Regent. Growing older would make Joffrey worse than ever. As he receives absolute power and authority, Joffrey would become even more arrogant and confident. Pro claims Joffrey takes after Cersei and Cersei certainly didn't become competent once she grew up. Heeding of advice Joffrey enjoyed the cheer of the crowd at his feet. It’s not at all surprising that Joffrey approves of Margaery’s social work. It doesn’t count as anything significant in his favor, it’s purely out of selfish motives, as usual. Joffrey does not attatch himself to Tywin, he's intimidated by him, somewhat. We clearly see him squirming when Tywin's telling him to attend the council meetings. He still defies him and Pro's point is pretty weak given that all Tywin's really acomplished with Joffrey is to get him to attend the council meetings (by embarrassing him). Tywin was largely unsuccessful with his children, why should Joffrey be different? Tywin raised Cersei and Jaime, yet Cersei is a fool (as Pro admits) and Jaime only became a good person through his own journey. Tyrion is the most capable of ruling of the three siblings, yet Tywin despised him. In other words, Tywin failed as a father. If Tywin cannot even raise his own children properly, how does Pro expect him to teach an already much much worse, sadistic, foolish king? More facts to consider -Tywin’s approaching old age -Joffrey ridicules Tywin to his face and behind his back (Pro never addresses this) -Joffrey is heedless and will only become more heedless as he grows into his throne -Margaery is a women; Joffrey is sexist and a prideful one -Margaery’s philanthropy would not have rubbed off on Joffrey. Joffrey’s a psychopath, he has no empathy for the needy -Haughty sadists in extreme power are NOT receptive to influence -Joffrey took after Cersei and Cersei never become a good ruler despite having Tywin Lannister as her parent. Joffrey would turn the Tyrells against him Ignored by Pro. Extend. Taking the credit Pro calls it an effective strategy for Joffrey to take credit for others' accomplishments. On the contrary, this is imprudent practice bound to generate disloyalty and an unwillingness to serve. If Joffrey claims to win all the victories the real victors will spite him and he’ll estrange his most valuable assets. As said, though Ned Stark was clearly over his head in the politics of King’s Landing, he’s exemplary in creating loyalty because of how fairly he treats those around and under him. Conclusion Pro’s case hinges entirely upon the postulation that Joffrey will be turned from one of the worst kings imaginable to a cunning & wise king. Pro bases this conjecture on the fact of Tywin’s and Margaery’s positive influence on the king. This, I contend, is a very weak footing for Pro. Even if Pro showed it was merely plausible Tywin and Margaery would change Joffrey into a good king, that would be a remarkable feat, but the fact remains that the question is not even moot. It's very unlikely that Joffrey would be anything but a hopeless case.