Political Ponerology

1. Macrosocial Evil: A Pervasive and Poorly Understood Problem

The history of mankind, when considered objectively, is a terrible thing.

A terrible history. Large-scale evil, or macrosocial evil, has plagued humanity throughout history, manifesting as wars, revolutions, genocide, and systemic suffering. Despite countless historical accounts and philosophical reflections, the fundamental causes and processes behind this recurring tragedy remain largely mysterious and resistant to traditional understanding.

Beyond moral judgment. While often viewed through a moral or theological lens, the sheer scale and repetitive nature of macrosocial evil suggest deeper, underlying factors. Traditional moralizing interpretations, while well-intentioned, often fail to provide effective means for prevention or counteraction, leaving humanity feeling helpless against the "Terror of History."

The need for a new approach. Existing disciplines like history, sociology, and even traditional psychology, often relying on "natural" or everyday concepts, prove insufficient to grasp the true nature of this phenomenon. A new, objective, and naturalistic approach is needed to penetrate the mystery and identify the root causes of large-scale human suffering.

2. Ponerology: A New Science to Study the Genesis of Evil

Ponerology reveals itself to be a new branch of science born out of historical need and the most recent accomplishments of medicine and psychology.

A science of evil. Ponerology is proposed as a new scientific discipline dedicated to studying the nature, causes, and genesis of evil at all social scales, from individual acts to macrosocial phenomena. It seeks to move beyond moralistic interpretations by applying objective, naturalistic methods, particularly drawing from psychology and psychopathology.

Analogous to medicine. Just as medicine studies disease to find cures, ponerology studies evil to understand its etiology and pathodynamics, aiming to develop effective countermeasures. The principle "Ignota nulla curatio morbi" (Do not attempt to cure what you do not understand) is central to this approach.

Identifying causative factors. The core task of ponerology is to identify the specific factors and processes that contribute to the birth and spread of evil. This involves analyzing human behavior, social dynamics, and, crucially, the role played by individuals with psychological deviations.

3. Understanding Human Nature: The Foundation for Ponerology

In order to understand the laws governing social life, we must similarly first understand the individual human being, his physiological and psychological nature, and fully accept the quality and scope of differences (particularly psychological ones) among the individuals who constitute two sexes, different families, associations, and social groups, as well as the complex structure of society itself.

The basic unit. Society is composed of individuals, and understanding social phenomena requires a deep understanding of the human personality in all its complexity and variation. This includes acknowledging the role of the instinctive substratum, emotional life, memory, associative capacity, reasoning, and the capacity for introspection.

Psychological diversity. Human beings exhibit vast psychological differences, both quantitative (intelligence, talents) and qualitative (character traits, emotional responses). This diversity is a source of creativity and societal structure but also a potential source of misunderstanding and conflict if not properly understood.

Limitations of the "natural" worldview. Our everyday, "common sense" understanding of human nature is often limited, emotionally biased, and prone to deformation. It is insufficient for grasping complex psychological realities, especially when dealing with individuals who deviate significantly from the norm. An objective psychological language is necessary.

4. Pathological Factors: The Underrated Agents in the Genesis of Evil

The hypothesis thus suggests itself that such factors are commonly active in the genesis of evil.

Deviants among us. A small but active minority in every society carries various psychological deviations or defects, whether inherited (schizoidia, essential psychopathy) or acquired (characteropathies from brain damage). These individuals often have a different worldview and way of experiencing reality.

Covert influence. These pathological factors, especially when subtle or easily concealed, play a significant and often underrated role in ponerogenic processes. They can:

• Deform the personalities of those they interact with, particularly during childhood.
• Introduce distorted perceptions and reasoning patterns into social discourse.
• Act as catalysts or inspirers for harmful actions and social movements.

Beyond moral blame. Understanding these deviations as biological or psychological conditions, rather than purely moral failings, is crucial. A moralizing interpretation prevents objective analysis and counteraction, inadvertently allowing these factors to continue their destructive work.

5. Ponerogenic Processes: How Evil Associations and Ideologies Form

We shall give the name “ponerogenic association” to any group of people characterized by ponerogenic processes of above-average social intensity, wherein the carriers of various pathological factors function as inspirers, spellbinders, and leaders, and where a proper pathological social structure generates.

Groups of evil. Ponerogenic associations are groups where the genesis of evil is intensified, often inspired and led by individuals with psychological deviations. These range from small gangs to large political movements.

Two types of associations:

• Primary: Formed from the outset by deviant individuals, often overtly criminal.
• Secondary: Originally based on a normal idea or goal, but later infiltrated and transformed by pathological factors. This is more dangerous as the original ideology provides a mask.

The role of ideology. Ponerogenic groups often develop ideologies that justify their actions and serve as propaganda. In secondary associations, the original ideology is caricatured, creating a "doubletalk" where names retain old meanings for outsiders but signify something different for initiates.

6. Pathocracy: Rule by Pathological Individuals

I shall accept the denomination of pathocracy for a system of government thus created, wherein a small pathological minority takes control over a society of normal people.

A sick government. Pathocracy is a macrosocial phenomenon where a small minority of individuals with specific psychological deviations, particularly essential psychopathy, takes control of a society and imposes its deviant worldview and goals. This is a distinct form of government, qualitatively different from systems ruled by normal people.

Genesis of pathocracy. Pathocracy can arise autonomously from within a society, often following a period of social crisis and hysterization, or it can be imposed by force or artificial infection from an existing pathocratic state. The process involves the gradual infiltration and dominance of pathological individuals within a social movement or ruling structure.

The "new class". Under pathocracy, a privileged "new class" emerges, composed of individuals with the required psychological deviations. This class occupies all positions of power and control, from top leadership down to local administrators.

7. The Nature of Pathocracy: A Disease of Societies

Pathocracy is even less of a socioeconomic system than a social structure or political system. It is a macrosocial disease process affecting entire nations and running the course of its characteristic pathodynamic properties.

A societal illness. Pathocracy is fundamentally a disease of the social organism, not merely a political system. It has its own etiological factors (pathological individuals) and characteristic pathodynamics, regardless of the specific ideology it adopts as a mask.

Key characteristics:

• Infiltration: Pathological individuals permeate all levels of power.
• Suppression of truth: Knowledge, especially psychology and psychiatry, is distorted or suppressed if it threatens the system.
• Expansionism: Pathocracy has an inherent drive to expand and dominate, often masked by ideology.
• Internal conflict: Constant tension exists between the pathological ruling minority and the normal majority.

Incompetence and waste. Due to the psychological limitations of the ruling class, pathocracy is inherently inefficient and destructive, wasting societal talents and resources. It can only maintain control through force, terror, and sophisticated psychological manipulation.

8. Normal People Under Pathocracy: Resistance and Adaptation

Regardless of the social scale within which human individuals were forcibly reared by pathological persons, whether individual, group, societal, or macrosocial, the principles of psychotherapeutic action will thus be similar, and should be based upon data known to us, and an understanding of the psychological situation.

The normal majority. Despite the dominance of the pathological minority, the vast majority of the population under pathocracy consists of normal people. Their human nature, instincts, and basic intelligence remain fundamentally incompatible with the system.

Resistance and adaptation. Normal people develop various strategies to survive and resist:

• Psychological immunization: Becoming resistant to the system's manipulative techniques over time.
• Practical knowledge: Learning to understand the system's weaknesses and how to navigate it.
• New social links: Forming informal networks of mutual support and communication.

Enduring protest. The protest of normal people against pathocracy is deep-seated, stemming from their very nature. While they may adapt outwardly, they never fully accept the system, constantly seeking a return to a normal man's government.

9. Pathocracy's War on Truth: Suppressing Psychology and Psychiatry

In nations with pathocratic systems, supervision over scientific and cultural organizations is assigned to a special department of especially trusted people, a “Nameless Office” composed almost entirely of relatively intelligent persons who betray characteristic psychopathic traits.

Targeting knowledge. Pathocracy views certain areas of knowledge, particularly psychology, psychopathology, and psychiatry, as existential threats. These sciences possess the tools to identify and diagnose the system's pathological nature.

Suppression and distortion. To protect itself, pathocracy actively suppresses, distorts, and controls these disciplines:

• Prohibiting research into key areas like psychopathy.
• Distorting definitions and concepts.
• Promoting unqualified or compliant individuals to positions of authority in these fields.
• Abusing psychiatry to label dissidents as mentally ill.

A secret battle. A hidden conflict emerges between the pathocratic authorities and genuine scientists and practitioners who attempt to preserve or disseminate objective knowledge. This battle is crucial for the system's survival.

10. Pathocracy and Religion: Conflict and Transformation

The fact that this pathocratic phenomenon, which has spread to the most wide-ranging scale in human history, demonstrates hostility to any and all religion does not imply the conclusion that it is the opposite of religion.

Hostility to faith. Pathocracy is inherently hostile to religion, regardless of the specific creed. This stems from religion's connection to moral values, humanistic principles, and a worldview that fundamentally clashes with the pathocratic mindset.

Religion as opposition. Under pathocratic rule, religious organizations often become centers of resistance and moral support for the normal population. This opposition, however, can lead to persecution and attempts by the pathocracy to destroy or co-opt religious institutions.

Transformation under pressure. Facing persecution, religion under pathocracy may undergo a process of purification, shedding superficial traditions and focusing on core values. This can lead to a deeper, more authentic faith, even while the religious structure suffers material losses.

11. Therapy for the World: Healing Through Understanding and Forgiveness

Understanding the nature of a disease is basic to any search for the proper methods of treatment.

Knowledge as medicine. The primary therapy for pathocracy and the broader genesis of evil is objective understanding. Making the nature and causes of this phenomenon known acts as a form of "global psychotherapy," helping individuals and societies to recognize and resist its influence.

The power of truth. Exposing the pathological reality behind the ideological mask disarms the pathocracy's manipulative power. This knowledge helps normal people regain their critical faculties and psychological hygiene, fostering spontaneous resistance and social regeneration.

Understanding and forgiveness. While difficult, understanding the biological and psychological factors driving pathocrats can lead to a form of forgiveness. This does not mean condoning their actions, but rather moving beyond vengeful moral judgment to implement effective, non-punitive countermeasures based on scientific knowledge and a commitment to protecting normal society.

12. The Future: Overcoming Evil Through Knowledge

Disentangling the Gordian Knot of present times, composed of the macrosocial pathological phenomenon threatening our future, may appear impossible without the development and utilization of this new discipline.

A new path forward. The traditional methods of combating evil, relying heavily on moral appeals or brute force, have proven insufficient against macrosocial pathological phenomena like pathocracy. A new approach, grounded in the scientific understanding of evil's genesis, is necessary.

Combining knowledge and values. The most effective strategy involves a synthesis of ponerological understanding and traditional moral values. Scientific knowledge provides the tools for identification and counteraction, while moral principles guide the ethical application of these tools.

Hope for the future. By developing and applying ponerology, humanity can potentially:

• Identify and neutralize pathological factors early.
• Prevent the ponerization of social movements.
• Develop societal immunity to manipulative ideologies.
• Ultimately reduce the burden of evil and suffering in the world.

Last updated: May 21, 2025