Political Ponerology: The Science of Evil, Psychopathy, and the Origins of Totalitarianism

Description

The first manuscript of this book was thrown into the fire just minutes before a secret police raid in Communist Poland. The second copy was personally delivered to a contact inside the Vatican, only to mysteriously vanish. The third was pieced together in 1980s New York by the last surviving member of an underground research team, only to be banned from publication... Until now. Forged in the crucible of totalitarianism, Political Ponerology is written by psychiatrist Dr. Andrew M. Lobaczewski, who draws on his experience and clinical insight during the decades he spent under the crushing heel of the Nazi and Communist regimes. Decades ahead of its time, and brimming with unique insights and depth of vision, Political Ponerology explores a genus of highly adapted and charming psychopaths who bend political parties, institutions, and media to their depraved worldview, dividing and hypnotizing entire populations, and paving a virtuous path to genocide, mass repression, and gulags. From the darkness of past regimes, Political Ponerology brings you the keys to understanding and protecting yourself from today’s spellbinding ideologues, and tomorrow’s dictators. This new edition has been extensively revised and expanded, the translation improved and annotated with the latest supporting research, examples, and new material previously unavailable in English. "Essential reading for concerned thinkers and all sufferers of past and present totalitarianism." —Michael Rectenwald, author of Google Archipelago and Springtime for Snowflakes "Fascinating, essential reading." —Philip Zimbardo, Professor Emeritus of Psychology, Stanford University, and author of The Lucifer Effect Foreword by Michael Rectenwald Editor’s Introduction Preface to the Original Manuscript Preface to the First Edition I. INTRODUCTION II. SOME INDISPENSABLE CONCEPTS Psychology Objective Language III. THE HYSTEROIDAL CYCLE IV. PONEROLOGY Pathological Factors Acquired Deviations Inherited Deviations Ponerogenic Phenomena and Processes Para-appropriate responses Egotism Moralizing interpretations Paramoralisms Reversive blockades Conversive thinking Spellbinders Ponerogenic Associations Ideologies The Ponerization Process Macrosocial Phenomena States of Societal Hystericization Ponerology V. PATHOCRACY The Nature and Genesis of the Phenomenon More on the Contents of the Phenomenon Pathocracy and Its Ideology The Expansion of Pathocracy Imposed Pathocracies Pathocracy imposed by force Artificially infected pathocracy General Considerations VI. NORMAL PEOPLE UNDER PATHOCRATIC RULE From the Perspective of Time Natural Immunization Understanding VII. PSYCHOLOGY AND PSYCHIATRY UNDER PATHOCRATIC RULE VIII. PATHOCRACY AND RELIGION IX. THERAPY FOR THE WORLD Truth Is a Healer Forgiveness Ideologies Immunization X. A VISION OF THE FUTURE Appendix I. Preface to the Polish Edition (1997) Appendix II. On Democracy (1997) Appendix III. A Response to Father Bogusław (2000) Appendix IV. Problems of Ponerology (2006) Glossary Bibliography About the Author