Abstract

This book offers a detailed study of the psycho-politics of governmental manipulation, in which a vulnerable population is disciplined by contorting their sense of self-worth. In many conflict settings a nation's government exerts its dominance over a marginalized population group through laws, policies and practices that foster stark inequality. This book shows how such domination comes in the form of systems of humiliation orchestrated by governmental forces, and draws upon recent findings in social psychology, conflict analysis, and political sociology. Case studies are provided of governmental directives, verdicts, policies, decisions and norms that, when enforced, foster debasement, disgrace or denigration. One case centers on the US immigration laws that target vulnerable population groups, while another focuses on the ethnic discrimination of the central government of Sudan against the Sudanese Africans. By contrast, the book's conclusion focuses on the collective compassion that is exhibited by some people who are immersed in protracted violent conflict. The practices of systemic compassion represent a counter-force to such governmental humiliation. This book will be of much interest to students of peace and conflict studies, sociology, psychology, ethics, philosophy and International Relations. on that is exhibited by some people who are immersed in protracted violent conflict. The practices of systemic compassion represent a counter-force to such governmental humiliation. This book will be of much interest to students of peace and conflict studies, sociology, psychology, ethics, philosophy and International Relations.