Democratization, psychology, and the construction of cultures of peace.

Abstract

Democratization, which involves an increased distribution of political power among large human pluralities, can be defined in various ways by different cultures. The political process takes place across different units of analysis, from larger interstate and intrastate relations to smaller human units of political collectives and individual citizens. At the turn of the millennium, many new democracies leave behind them recent histories of authoritarianism but collective memories of political abuses remain. Conditions of violence and peace that accompany the transition to democracy include forms of direct, structural, and cultural social transgressions. Democratization processes may likewise unleash a more subtle yet powerful form of social violence, as Western powers impose their own governmental forms that are alien to weaker states. Such impositions of democracy on less powerful societies revive unpleasant memories of Western hegemonic activities during colonial periods and the Cold War. Psychologists can contribute positively to indigenous democratization processes by helping peoples in new democracies identify local participative processes, minimize marginalization of human pluralities, build egalitarian political cultures, and strengthen democratic selves. But to achieve these goals, psychology as a discipline needs to take a critical approach and adapt to the practical and theoretical demands of democratization processes. We propose 3 alterations within the field of psychology, namely: expand psychology's intellectual boundaries beyond subjective-individual well-being, increase multidisciplinary views, and encourage indigenous psychological practitioners/thinkers.

Horizontalidad, expresión y saberes compartidos enfoque psicosocial en procesos de acompañamiento a víctimas de violencia política en Colombia.

“…Por esta razón, Montiel & Wesells (2001) afirman que los psicólogos que desean contribuir a construir culturas de paz necesitan ser sensitivos a los contextos históricos y culturales de democratización y a las formas en que exportan sus esquemas político psicológicos, porque pueden contribuir sin intención al neocolonialismo, o también a los intereses de los actores de poder que van en detrimento de la dignidad y los derechos de las víctimas. Estos autores también piensan que un aporte a la democracia implica diseñar programas psicosociales que apunten a la participación, el diálogo y el poder compartido.…”

Capitalist World-Economy, Globalization, and Violence

“…Moreover, it induces structural violence in developing countries. Structural violence results from an unequal distribution of economic and political power, where one class benefits from this disparate system while another suffers (Galtung, 1996;Galtung & Hivik, 1971;Montiel & Wessells, 2001;Nagler, 1997). Much of the first and second parts of this article have dealt with theory and policy on a structural level of analysis.…”

Building Cultures of Peace: An Urgent Task for Counseling Professionals

“…Democratization warrants the attention of researchers as well. As Montiel and Wessells (2001) stated, there are psychological characteristics associated with the four focal points in the democratization process. In general, counseling researchers might examine how human rights, equality, selfefficacy, empowerment, marginalization, trauma, and conflict resolution are exhibited during the democratization process in countries new to this form of political structure.…”

“…G e r s t e i n a n d M o e s c h b e r g e r DEMOCRATIZATION, PSYCHOLOGY, AND PEACE In the second article of the special issue, Montiel and Wessells (2001) discussed the psychological implications of democratization. The process of democratization was thought, in some instances, to lead to social violence as Western ideologies were thrust on weaker societies.…”

“…To accomplish this, psychology must expand its intellectual boundaries beyond individuals, embrace interdisciplinary collaboration, support indigenous psychologists, and focus on social change to facilitate justice and trust. Montiel and Wessells (2001) also outlined four focal points in the democratization process (interstate, intrastate, political collectives, & individual levels). At the interstate level, psychology could help with understanding indigenous mental processes and behaviors linked with nonviolent strategies.…”