Ličnost i društvo: od individualne psihopatologije do psihopatologije političkih kultura
Personality and society: From an individual psychopathology to a psychopathology of social groups

Summary/Abstract: Psychopathology of an individual and the induced insanity of smaller groups occupy the usual discourse, while collective psychopathology is mostly excluded from focus of theory and practice. Narcissism, paranoia, mania, depression and nihilism are not only components of individual psychopathology, but can also be psycho political and cultural phenomena connected to power games. Today we talk about a narcissistic, manic, paranoid, depressive nihilistic and humanist psycho culture. Culture is both a social and a psychological product because humans are by their nature political beings, “zoon politikon”, as Aristotle would say, a social being which can truly fulfill itself only in a political community. Political culture is defined as a set of attitudes, beliefs and patterns of behaviour which determine political processes, value judgements and regulate behaviour in a political system, while psychological culture is connected with cultivation of soul (cultura animi as Cicero would say). In other words, psychological culture is linked with the way of building a healthy personality and mental health, i.e. with raising healthy individuals which will form a healthy, good and happy community. As every society has its ruling ideology which directs social and political processes, so every individual has his/her own ideology, i.e. a system of values and life guidelines which direct him/her in his/her life, determine his/her behaviour. This behaviour with time transforms into habits and habits transform into character. Games of power in which one side always has to be the losing one are characteristic for a narcissistic and paranoid political psycho culture. An atmosphere in which such games of power flourish is marked by shortage of resources and goods, injustice, irresponsibility, lack of relevant information and an unhealthy or pathological competition. Three myths about power contribute to such an atmosphere: 1. we all have equal power, 2. everybody is in basis powerless, no matter how hard he/she tries, 3. everybody is as powerful as he/she wants to be. The way in which we join our powers and use it for general or partial (group) benefit, with the aim of achieving “winner-loser” or “winner-winner” outcome is very important. In competitive games of power a common game is the “wolf-sheep” game. Wolves are players of power, conscious cold-blooded manipulators which precisely know what they are doing to get what they want at the expense of others. We distinguish between “aggressive-wolves” and “wolves in sheep skin”. “Sheep-people” are people which never become aware of the manipulations of others. Some people are sometimes aware of manipulations, sometimes startled and act defensively. Assertive individuals are aware of other people’s games of power and do not let themselves to be manipulated. They also do not manipulate others at their expense. Some people later realise that they have been victims of manipulation. Assertive individuals are aware of the games of power of others and do not let themselves to be manipulated, promoting a “win-win” approach and a humanistic- altruistic political culture. The paper will offer a review of fore mentioned political cultures.

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