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

by Michael Rectenwald

Psychopathy and political power

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AlbakiReads Editorial

Psychopathy and political power

Political Ponerology examines how, in its account, psychopathic traits can shape political parties, institutions, and media, contributing to totalitarian systems and mass repression. The book connects this analysis to the author’s experience under Nazi and Communist regimes and presents clinical observation as a way to understand political behavior. This revised, expanded edition is described as including an improved translation, annotations, supporting research, examples, and material previously unavailable in English. Its subject sits at the intersection of psychopathology and political history, with attention to how individual traits may become consequential when operating through institutions.

Good fit for readers who enjoy

  • Readers interested in psychopathology and personality disorders in political contexts.
  • Readers studying totalitarianism, political institutions, or mass repression.
  • Readers seeking a book that links clinical observation with political history.

Themes

Psychopathy and political powerTotalitarianism and mass repressionPsychology and political institutionsClinical observation under authoritarian regimes

Based on publisher information and book metadata.

Book overview

REVISED, EXPANDED EDITION

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
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