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Tyranny and mental health
1Rotherham District General Hospital, Moorgate Road, Rotherham S60 2UD, UK. abedrt@btinternet.com
British Medical Bulletin
|March 16, 2005
Summary
Tyrannical and totalitarian states, using coercion, inflict severe mental health consequences on rulers and the ruled. International responsibility is needed for human rights and post-tyranny social repair.
Area of Science:
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Sociology
Background:
- Tyrannical states emerged with socio-political structures, with totalitarianism being a recent, virulent form.
- Totalitarian regimes primarily employ physical and psychological coercion for governance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the psychological roots and socio-psychological effects of tyrannical systems.
- To examine the mental health consequences for both those in power and the populace.
- To use the Iraqi Ba'th regime as a case study of a third-world totalitarian state.
Main Methods:
- Exploration of psychological underpinnings of tyranny.
- Discussion of potential socio-psychological impacts.
- Exemplar analysis of the Iraqi Ba'th regime.
Main Results:
- Tyrannical governance, especially totalitarianism, has significant mental health implications.
- The Iraqi Ba'th regime exemplifies the severe impact of such states.
Conclusions:
- Preventing mass human rights violations necessitates international responsibility and potentially redefining sovereignty.
- The international community should aid in social repair following the collapse of tyrannical regimes.