Wave of Consciousness, "A Voice of Sanity in a World of Conflict"

Political Narcissists, Part III

by Natalia J. Garland, M.S.W.

How can the average American know if any war is progressing toward victory? How do we measure progress or evaluate legitimacy? By the number of American soldiers killed? By the length of time or amount of money spent? By whether or not the world approves?

We can start any political evaluation by being skeptical of narcissistic authoritarians, of news reports that omit pertinent information, and of conclusions drawn too soon. In other words, check the facts, use several news sources, compare and contrast different points of view, find news analysts who are fair and insightful, and exercise critical thinking. As a personal aid, I developed my own lists to guide me toward truth.

My first list offers a few ways to detect political narcissists:

  • They will not answer a direct yes-or-no question with a simple yes or no.
  • They will not answer a question with a precise declarative sentence.
  • They prefer to deflect questions and indulge in talk about themselves or topics unrelated to specific questions.
  • They attend activities and ceremonies where T.V. cameras are present.
  • Their advocacy for the oppressed is often reserved for situations where T.V. cameras are present.
  • They blame America.
  • They are reactive (jealousy, rage) rather than proactive (leading by example, opening up discussion).
  • They hold others accountable to high standards, but feel they can break all the rules.
  • They expect mainstream leaders to apologize for all the ills of America, but themselves cannot admit to error and sincerely apologize.
  • Their grandiosity is often expressed through false martyrdom.

My second list describes what citizens can do to help win the war on terrorism:

  • Gain an understanding of military strategy and the history of American military success and failure.
  • Find out if the military has adequate equipment and training to do their jobs.
  • Understand the difference between military interrogation techniques and torture.
  • Understand the history and politics of any other country where America is militarily involved.
  • Predict the benefits and limitations of diplomacy and dialogue, based on study of past outcomes.
  • Understand that successful negotiation must be backed by government/military power and by the will of the people.
  • Understand the concepts of good and evil.
  • Detect narcissistic personalities and how they may influence political alignments and decisions among leaders and citizens.
  • Discern which narcissists have real talent or competence, and which are severely dysfunctional.
  • Do not be afraid to be politically incorrect.
  • Do not be afraid to align with the 'establishment' if that is where your conclusions take you.
  • Beware of propaganda.
  • Beware of partisanship.
  • Stay vigilant.
  • Vote.

Without the above information and skills, we cannot vote wisely or hold public officials accountable. The process is similar to getting good medical care. How many competent doctors have you known? Have you gone to different doctors before finding one who could diagnose you correctly and prescribe appropriate medication or treatment? Have you done your own research on medical conditions because you do not have complete confidence in your doctor's evaluation? Have you turned to 'alternative health' options because traditional Western medical professionals have failed or harmed you?

Unfortunately, it is essential to apply the same fact-finding processes to political and military actions. It is an enormously difficult task, but essential because the future of a free and safe society depends on it.

My third list attempts to clarify some of the complications which have caused the Iraq War to continue long after the fall of Saddam's statue.

  • Government incompetence or inadequacy (both American and Iraqi), including the lack of or withdrawal of support from other countries (such as Spain after the Madrid train-bombing).
  • American military strategical errors.
  • Inexperience in confronting terroristic warfare.
  • The insurgent bombing of the Golden Mosque in Samarra, which some experts regard as the turning point toward defeat of democracy.
  • The apparent military and technological involvement of Iran with counter-forces.
  • Inadequate attention given to America's war on drugs. Afghanistan has resumed the growing and selling of opium, and the profits help to fund local terrorist groups.
  • Biased or false media coverage which has a negative impact on American opinion and support. Skewed media coverage (i.e., propaganda) makes it difficult for the average citizen to evaluate military and government actions, and seems to reward narcissistic authoritarians with undeserved attention.
  • Good news from Iraq which goes unreported or under-reported.
  • Narcissistic personalities which have used an anti-war stance to inflate their own sense of self-importance and to vent rage.

Finally, my fourth list consists of questions which I ask myself when trying to form my own judgments.

  • Is Iraq a better country after the removal of Saddam?
  • Does Iraq, even with the impact of current warfare, have greater possibility of a better future than it would have had under Saddam?
  • Why has there not been a terrorist attack on America since 9/11?
  • Opinion: The Iraq War was wrong.
    Possibility: America wins and democracy is secured.
    Question: Was the Iraq War still wrong?
  • Opinion: The Iraq War was right.
    Possibility: America loses and terrorists take over.
    Question: Was the Iraq War still right?
  • What is America's moral responsibility in Iraq?
  • Should the military draft be revived?
  • Why were there not any American protest marches when Nick Berg was beheaded by Islamic extremists?
  • Why were there not any American protest marches when the Baptist missionaries were killed by Islamic extremists?
  • What do the anti-war protestors want? And what are their long-term goals?
  • Why do the anti-war protestors believe the Iraq War has been lost?
  • Why do American soldiers believe the Iraq War can be won?
  • Would the anti-war protestors sign a loyalty oath to America?
  • Are the anti-war protestors representative of the people, or are they a political narcissistic elite which has bewitched average citizens?
  • Is Authoritarian Narcissism the new political movement in America, in succession to Neo-Conservativism?

Narcissists cannot be directly blamed for terrorism or for any failure in Iraq. Only the Islamic extremists are responsible for violent jihad against America. Only the Commander-in-Chief is responsible for managing the personnel and strategy of the Iraq War. Only American citizens are responsible for voting leaders into and out of office. There are, nonetheless, other factors which we must uncover and analyze. The phenomenon of political narcissism is a dangerous variable that will present itself in the 2008 presidential election. Political narcissists are capable of influencing elections in ways that could be personally self-inflating but nationally self-destructive.

[NOTE: This three-part essay is a study in progress, not a finished product, and is therefore subject to error. Some of the ideas expressed are based on personal observation and opinion, and are not intended to carry official diagnostic value.] (Written 04/16/07)

www.waveofconsciousness.com

copyright © 2007 Natalia J. Garland

BIBLIOGRAPHY NOTES:

<<>>The following book offers the distinguishing features of all the personality disorders, inclusive of and beyond the D.S.M. criteria:
1.) Interpersonal Diagnosis and Treatment of Personality Disorders, by Lorna Smith Benjamin. Published by The Guilford Press, 1993, ISBN: 0-89862-990-X.
<<>>Among the many books on narcissism, I think this book remains a good starting point for a definition written in understandable language:
2.) The Narcissistic and Borderline Disorders, by James F. Masterson. Published by Brunner/Mazel, Inc., 1981, ISBN: 0-87630-292-4.
<<>>For related material on narcissism and culture, try these two old but relevant books:
3.) The Culture of Narcissism, by Christopher Lasch. Published by W.W. Norton & Company, Inc., 1978, ISBN: 0-343-01177-1;
4.) The Minimal Self, by Christopher Lasch. Published by W.W. Norton & Company, Inc., 1984.
<<>>For articles on biased media coverage, try:
5.) "The American Media in Wartime," by Brit Hume, Imprimis, June 2003, Volume 32, Number 6. Published by Hillsdale College, Michigan. ISBN: 0277-8432.
6.) "Hero's Tale Is 'Too Positive' for the BBC," by Chris Hastings, 04/07/07, the Sunday Telegraph (U.K.), [WWW document] URL www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/04/08/wiraq308.xml
7.) "The War You're Not Reading About," by John McCain, 04/08/07, the Washington Post, [WWW document] URL www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/06/AR2007040601781.html
<<>>For an opinion on the role of religion and ethnicity in terrorism, try:
8.) "The Roots of Today's Wars," by Ralph Peters, 02/28/07, in USA Today, [WWW document] URL http://blogs.usatoday.com/oped/2007/02/the_roots_of_to.html
<<>>For an update and opinion on the current situation in Iraq, try:
9.) "Iraq in the Balance," by Fouad Ajami, 04/11/07, in the Opinion Journal, [WWW document] URL www.opinionjournal.com/extra/?id=110009926
<<>>The following three articles offer opinions on the psychological components of anger, political correctness, and individualism:
10.) "Anger Is All The Rage," by George Will, 03/25/07, Real Clear Politics, [WWW document] URL www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2007/03/anger_is_all_the_rage.html
11.) "Psychodynamics of Political Correctness," by Howard S. Schwartz, Professor of Organizational Behavior, Department of Management and Marketing, School of Business Administration, Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan 48309-4401, [WWW document] URL www.sba.oakland.edu/faculty/schwartz/PCJABS.htm
12.) "'Uniformity and Regimentation,'" by Paul J. Cella III, 05/02/03, Tech Central Station, [WWW document] URL www.techcentralstation.com/050203B.html
<<>>Some of the questions in the fourth list were adapted from:
13.) Interview with General James L. Jones, Ret., Charlie Rose television program, hosted by Charlie Rose, the 04/10/07 episode.
<<>>For a reading list on warfare, try:
14.) Small Wars Journal Reading List, [WWW document] URL http://smallwarsjournal.com/reading-list