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This brief paper addresses two issues relevant to the phenomenon of climate change. The first involves examining some of the motives that have and continue to contribute to the current situation--both global warming and the broader issue of the ecological damage that our species has done and is doing to the planet. The strongest of these motives is fueled by the ideology of free-market capitalism, which holds that restrictions to the pursuit of economic gain are anathema. The second issue is the question of the relation between overpopulation and the amount of damage being done to our environment; and the motivations for the resistance to acknowledging that overpopulation plays a role in the human produced pollution and environmental degradation we are experiencing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is about trying to use a psychohistorical and psychoanalytic perspective to understand how and why we have gotten to the point where the world we live in is governed by our current economic system of free market capitalism. It seeks to explain how this economic and political reality has come to be and what might account for how entrenched it has become. It emphasizes the motivational strength of what has become an ideology of the free market which conflates economic with political freedom. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Starting with Heinz Kohut's insights about narcissistic injury, narcissistic rage, and the desire for revenge this paper examines terrorism, both on the part of state and non-state entities, through the lens of Kohut's theory. The role played by humiliation in the creation of narcissistic injury is discussed emphasizing how important this is to understanding how terrorism arises and from where it gets its strength, fury, and desperation. There is a description of how this process can feed vicious cycles of violence and war as one group's humiliation at the hands of another group leads to acts of vengeance directed at those who are seen as responsible for their group's humiliation. There is a brief historical survey of the ways in which Muslims have been humiliated at the hands of Western powers and the suggestion that this is the main factor which has and is driving "Jihadi" terrorism directed against the United States and its allies. The response of the United States to the September 11 terrorist attacks is explored as an example of the same process of narcissistic injury generating feelings of humiliation leading in turn to acts of violent retaliation. The paper concludes with suggestions for disrupting this cycle of humiliation and revenge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the significance of racism in fueling the recent rise of the Tea Party and related Right-Wing political groups and activity. It briefly explores some of the history of racism in this country that has been directed toward African Americans and how it has influenced political developments from Colonial times to the present. It suggests that this racist resurgence can be seen, in part, as a re-enactment of the trauma of the Civil War by the descendants, and those who identify with them, who were on the losing side of that conflict. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the concept of partisanship in the discipline of psychohistory, and how such partisan distortion may impact psychohistory. It examines articles by scholars Jerrold Post, Nancy Kobrin, and the book "Death Orders: the Vanguard of Modern Terrorism in Revolutionary Russia" by Anna Geifman. It also discusses the motivation of large groups and nations. The author also discusses the concept of American exceptionalism and argues that it is a form of national narcissistic personality disorder.

The article discusses how the economic crisis in the U.S. affects the future economic prospects of the upper middle income group in the U.S. and what changes in political attitudes might follow. The author briefly talks about the history of the economy in the U.S. from the end of World War II to 2009. Economic growth from 1945 to 1970 is examined. Keynesian economic theory is mentioned. Subjects of the article also include what will happen when the economy improves, how to sustain it, and how the American Psychological Association is encouraging their members to help.

The article discusses the psychohistory of vengeance. From literature to film, revenge is a prominent theme. The enactment of revenge equates to carrying out justice. Individuals take revenge at someone who had done them wrong. Revenge is taken against a person who cause humiliation and loss to another. Revenge is closely associated with rage and aggression.

Examines the psychohistory of political conservatism. Information on an article by Jost et al, published in the fall 2003 issue of "Psychological Bulletin," regarding the psychological difference between conservatives and liberals; Association of parenting with political beliefs; Determinants of political ideology and behavior.

The author recalls his memories of psychoanalyst Lloyd deMause. He mentions his initial meeting with deMause at the annual International Psychoanalytical Association conferences in 1980. He describes deMause as an active voice for nonpunitive parenting and children's rights. He relates deMause's examination of the links between childhood trauma and sacrifice as part of war.

This paper consists of a discussion of Neil Altman's ‘Psychoanalysis and war’, which was conducted online through PsyBC in the fall of 2006. Discussants were a group of psychoanalytically oriented thinkers chosen by the author and Nancy Hollander, the author of the other paper included in the discussion. The paper represents the full discussion with only minor edits to correct typographical errors and improve clarity. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]