title: On becoming acquainted with history's coercion specialists.
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 self-criticism 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.
authors: bramgrow@mweb.co.za
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Abramovitz
mesh_terms: D000987:Antisocial Personality Disorder; D001318:Authoritarianism; D003068:Coercion; D005006:Ethnicity; D006806:Human Rights; D006801:Humans; D011056:Political Systems; D011287:Prejudice; D013019:South Africa