Invasion of Ukraine: Observations on Leader-Followers Relationships

Abstract

This paper illustrates how and when the personality characteristics of a political leader can initiate and/or become intertwined with societal and political processes. We are not suggesting that ''real world'' issues and secondary process calculations are not important or should be discarded in favor of psychological considerations. Instead, we suggest that psychoanalysts and psychodynamically informed mental health professionals can contribute to a more complete analysis of political or societal processes and the personalities of leaders who play major roles in them. Only through such interdisciplinary work can we fully understand the complex and intertwined nature of the crucial events that shape political leaders' internal and external worlds.

The Ukraine Conflict: Social, Psychological and Medical Perspectives

“…In regard to the ongoing destruction of Ukraine's infrastructure, Putin may be in grip of the idea that the denazification can be achieved through extensive destructions; otherwise, "the Phoenix can rise from the ashes" [61]. There have been attempts to analyze Putin's mental condition [55,56]. Apparently, there is not enough information for diagnostic conclusions; the more so as his published texts seem to be edited by professional writers.…”

The Russo-Ukrainian Conflict: Social, Psychological and Medical Perspectives

“…The most serious consequences occur when paranoid ideas persist in a dictator and/or his advisers along with rationality and efficiency so that delusions are put into life [54]. Some paranoiacs are belligerent and aggressive against delusional goals [55]. Governments in democracy are more transparent; so it is less probable that power would be kept or influenced by mentally disordered individuals.…”

“…Putin wants to resist the imagined attack supposedly launched against Russia by the West. In the process, he would become a new Stalin by completing the latter's unfinished task of conquering Europe [55,61]. In regard to the ongoing destruction of Ukraine's infrastructure, Putin may be in grip of the idea that the denazification can be achieved through extensive destructions; otherwise, "the Phoenix can rise from the ashes" [61].…”

“…In regard to the ongoing destruction of Ukraine's infrastructure, Putin may be in grip of the idea that the denazification can be achieved through extensive destructions; otherwise, "the Phoenix can rise from the ashes" [61]. There have been attempts to analyze Putin's mental condition [55,56]. Apparently, there is not enough information for diagnostic conclusions; the more so as Putin's published texts seem to be edited by professional writers.…”

“…Certain war instigators and terrorists are paranoid in their tendency to present themselves as prophets, liberators, world saviors etc. Some paranoiacs are belligerent and aggressive against delusional goals, as it is the case with the "denazification" of Ukraine [55]. Of note, such ideas are virulent.…”