Addiction to power. notes for a psychoanalytic political science.

Journal title PSICOTERAPIA E SCIENZE UMANE
Author/s Paul Parin
Publishing Year 2012 Issue 2012/1 Language Italian
Pages 30 P. 35-64 File size 347 KB
DOI 10.3280/PU2012-001002
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The phenomenon of power addiction is examined from a psychoanalytic viewpoint, and the foundation of a psychoanalytic political science, or psychoanalytic politology, is suggested. Addiction to political, economical, or social power bears some similarities with drug addiction or to some "new addictions" such as pathological gambling. Knowledge derived from addiction research is considered useful for a psychoanalytic understanding of addiction to power. Freudian libido theory is criticized in its limitations for the understanding of this phenomenon, which is rooted more in culture and values of contemporary society rather than in human nature; evolutionary theory, too, is considered insufficient for the understanding of the complexities of power addiction. Ethno-psychoanalysis is seen as an indispensable tool in order to come close to the understanding of addiction to power.

Keywords: Psychoanalytic political science, addiction, power, applied psychoanalysis, ethno-psychoanalysis

Paul Parin, La dipendenza dal potere. Appunti per una politologia psicoanalitica in "PSICOTERAPIA E SCIENZE UMANE" 1/2012, pp 35-64, DOI: 10.3280/PU2012-001002