On Becoming Acquainted with History's Coercion Specialists

Author: Abramovitz A.¹

Source: Ethnicity and Health, Volume 5, Numbers 3-4, 1 August 2000 , pp. 273-281(9)

Publisher: Routledge, part of the Taylor & Francis Group

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Abstract:

This paper discusses the careers of four very different coercion specialists taken from contemporary history. Whether in power, in opposition or unaffiliated, coercionists share an inability to evaluate institutions of authority as the source of social arrangements designed for the common good and a corresponding inability to contemplate selfcriticism or self-doubt. They vary along at least two dimensions: (a) a Machiavellian talent for simulating the non-authoritarian personality over long stretches of their careers, as against a blatant and reflexive thuggery; and (b) the pursuit of agreed-upon us-and-them agendas, as against fulfilling their own personal ambitions. Authoritarian political coercion need not have very much to do with psychopathy and sociopathy as they are understood in psychiatry and clinical psychology. Colluding with political coercionists cannot be averted without a vigilant, proactive stance.

Keywords: PERPETRATORS; POLITICAL COERCION; AUTHORITARIANISM; PSYCHOPATHY; ETHNICITY

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1080/135578500200009374

Affiliations: 1: Winford, Red Hill Road, Red Hill, 7975 RSA