Like many of us, I have been trying to figure out what is going on. I observe the power-hungry antics of politicians and wonder about their motivations. I watch people with more money than they will ever “need” extracting from others to amass more for themselves and wonder what drives them.
Recently, I sat with a group of friends who shared how we’re dealing with what’s happening in our country. We were looking at it from the perspective of shadow … our leader’s and our own. One member noted the cruelty. I concurred, saying that it’s the cruelty that bothers me the most … the lack of compassion demonstrated by those making unreasonable and perilous decisions affecting our personal and collective futures … it looked to me like immorality on a wide scale.
Making Sense of Cruelty
I witnessed this kind of cruelty entering our collective life while I worked in the field of addictions as a family therapist. My profession was decimated when profit-centered values replaced person-centered services. With no compassionate regard for the needs of our clients, this switch cruelly decimated the treatment we offered. It was called “managed care” and it was anything but caring. Back then, it looked to me like immorality. This same dynamic is happening today, on steroids.
I’ve been bracing myself for how today’s decimation will affect my disabled daughter and most of those in her assisted living facility. Chaos will ensue for them, their families, and the facility if Medicaid and Medicare are substantially cut … if Social Security checks stop dropping into checking accounts. I can’t even imagine how we will handle it. At times, my thoughts gravitate to dark scenarios as I witness the gleeful brutality with which our personal and collective futures are being played with. What else could it be but immorality.
As I continued to try to make sense of all this, I moved beyond the usual assessment of narcissism. It occurred to me that an addictive process is going on here. Active addicts, after all, demonstrate narcissistic behavior. The people in power in our country seem addicted to power and exorbitant wealth. It seems to give them a sense of supremacy and sovereignty.
Given that I worked in the addictions field, it’s not surprising that I came to see the leaders dominating our country through this lens.
My perspective found validation in a conversation on Ruth Ben-Ghiat’s Zoom call … something she provides for the subscribers to her Substack, Lucid. Ruth is a professor who specializes in authoritarianism, especially Mussolini, and is the author of Strongmen.
Her guest on May 16 was Dr. Gary Slutkin, a physician and epidemiologist. He confirmed my suspicion about an addictive process going on … and he expanded on it in some interesting and under-appreciated ways.
The malady is even worse than I realized, and …
It’s Not About Morality, Blame, or Politics
Using a clinical definition of a contagious disease with characteristic signs and symptoms, Dr. Slutkin described to a tee what we see occurring in our country today. He adds that it is the worst syndrome among many.
He describes authoritarian behavior as a disability … a defect … an uncontrollable addictive, disease process in the brain that produces a “high.” It is a very serious and contagious empathy disorder found among the powerful and rich … and a large part of the population has caught it.
Signs and symptoms include
- a lack of functioning between the parts of the brain that allows us to understand and feel the emotions of others
- an inability to care … to experience guilt, shame, and empathy
- where cruelty and brutality produce a “high” (the dopamine reward system going too far)
- is contagious related to how much exposure one has to the syndrome; how susceptible one is (having been bullied & hurt in childhood before the brain is fully developed)
- is characterized by covering pain with a feeling of belonging, being acknowledged or given attention & power
- dehumanization can become a mass event
Violence = A Contagious Disease
Curious about Dr. Slutkin’s background, I found his fascinating story in a TED talk, “Let’s Treat Violence Like a Contagious Disease.”
As an epidemiologist, Dr. Slutkin led efforts to combat epidemics in over 25 countries in East and Central Africa, Latin America, and Asia. He started country-specific programs in Uganda and 12 other African countries to combat AIDS.
After he returned to the United States, he came to see the violence in our country as a contagious epidemic. Our treatment options were not working. So, he tried something different. And he met success applying disease-fighting, epidemic-control methods to combat violence. His methods not only reduced violence, they reversed violence epidemics.
And that led me to …
… watch a second TED talk which popped up on my screen. The title, “The Power of Addiction and the Addiction to Power,” drew me in. Plus, the talk was given by someone whose work I’ve admired for a long time. Gabor Mate is a Canadian physician best known for his work in the field of trauma.
What I liked best about Mate’s TED talk was his personal story, something I had not previously heard. While he didn’t take drugs, he recounts his own addictive process … which led to neglect of his family and professional obligations. His vulnerability made the talk about his knowledge of addiction and experience treating addicts even more powerful.
Spreading the Word
With democracy declining and authoritarianism rising worldwide, it seems plausible to me that we are dealing with a contagious addictive process that is reaching epidemic proportions. This is a different framework from which to view what we observe happening.
Ruth Ben-Ghiat noted the value of this framework and the need to spread the word. And so, I’m using my blog for that purpose.
And I am already beginning to ponder the implications for concerned citizens and activists. It seems to me that this way of looking at what’s occurring should affect the way we respond and intervene. Would love to have an in-depth conversation with others to help me think this through.
Stay tuned …
I would love to hear your response to Dr. Slutkin’s and Dr. Mate’s framework.
Does this change how you respond to our current environment and, if so, how?
And, if you’re willing to help spread the word, feel free to share this blog with trusted others.
It makes sense to me to look at what’s happening this way. I want to learn more about how Slutkin’s method reduced violence.
Sharon,
Thanks for responding. I look forward to hearing what thoughts you have after checking out Dr. Slutkin’s methods for reducing violence. We could use his expertise in Dayton where downtown violence is on the rise. Another reason to get the word out.
What a trip you have taken Linda and it is hidden in this blog. You did not set out to write about addiction and violence but you opened yourself to something bigger and let it lead you. You didn’t go looking for a solution to violence you just listened to your heart’s response to cruelty. The answer came looking for you and you were open to it and open to sharing it. That is evolution at its best! Thank you so much for this insight. Violence perpetuates violence….we kind of knew that but the knowledge itself is just overwhelming. Even when I feel that violence arising in me I can apply these techniques. I hope his research finds it way to our elected officials and others who can implement it. Success is also contagious!!!!
In a way, Diana, I did go looking. I’ve been pondering for weeks what is at the heart of the cruelty being displayed by leaders today. That it is an addiction came as a gift.
Gary Slutkin’s validation perhaps came looking for me. Since writing this post, I’ve also heard Caroline Myss speak of addiction to power and money. And I’ve heard a political commentator speak of it as well … I think it was Heather Cox Richardson though I’m not sure. At any rate, I’m receiving lots of validation from highly respected people.
I hope to hear more from Gary Slutkin about how he sees us moving toward recovery from this kind of addiction because as I shared with Ani, I am drawing a blank. In the meantime, the only thing I know to do is recognize the cruelty within myself … my shadow … and let it go in the service of higher values. It is an ongoing journey for sure.
THANK YOU, LINDA for this wonderful blog, which I am sharing.
I have not yet listened to the TED talks and I will in the next few days.
And these folks are addicted to substances as well, i.e. Elon Musk is said to use cocaine. And I imagine that Trump uses substances too.
The sad thing is that we know how hard it is to treat addiction; but having the framework helps a LOT!
Ani … I served as an Interventionist while still working in the field of addiction. Family members came to me to “make” their loved one stop using substances. They were in pain about what the use of substances did to their loved one and to their relationship with them. It took several weeks for me to help them see that they were the ones who had to take action … to set limits and boundaries with their addicted family member … what we in the 12-Step Program call giving “tough love.” I remember how hard it was for me to learn to give “tough love” to my son.
I’ve wracked my brain trying to figure out how we as activists might intervene on an addiction to power and money. Their families seem to be benefitting for this addiction … may even share it … which sadly today is also true of substance addictions. As I left the field in 2007, I witnessed families getting sicker and sicker with debilitating addictions.
The question I still wrestle with is how to intervene with an addiction that has become of highest value in our culture. Our God these days seems to be power and money. How to create a condition where it is more painful to continue depending on power and money than on giving it up for a higher value? What does recovery look like in this instance?
I’m drawing a blank.