New Books in Psychology

Karyne E Messina, "A Psychoanalytic Study of Political Leadership in the United States and Russia: Searching for Truth" (Routledge, 2024)

Dec 8, 2024

Karyne E Messina, a psychoanalyst and educator, delves into the psychology behind political leadership in the U.S. and Russia. She discusses how personal histories shape leaders' actions and the critical role of truth in politics. Messina explores the erosion of public trust due to historical scandals and the importance of acknowledging mistakes. She analyzes Vladimir Putin's psyche in light of intergenerational trauma while advocating for transparency and critical thinking in political discourse. The conversation reveals the complexities of political ideologies and ethical considerations in leadership.

01:02:30

Episode guests

Karyne Messina

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Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

The podcast emphasizes the erosion of epistemic trust in politics, highlighting that transparency and accountability are essential for restoring public faith in leaders.

Intergenerational trauma is explored as a significant influence on political figures like Putin, demonstrating how historical experiences can shape contemporary leadership styles and ideologies.

Deep dives

Understanding Political Deception

The episode discusses the complex relationship between politicians and truth, emphasizing that while deception is prevalent in politics, not all politicians are inherently dishonest. The conversation highlights how various factors, such as campaign pressures and incomplete information, can lead politicians to make misleading statements, intentionally or unintentionally. A notable example cited is Barack Obama, whose administration faced scrutiny for several misleading claims during his presidency, including statements about healthcare and job creation. This underscores the idea that navigating truth in politics is often murky, as even well-intentioned leaders can fall victim to the demands of their roles.

Intro

2min

Truth and Deception in Political Leadership

16min

Echoes of the Atomic Age: Trust and Leadership

8min

The Importance of Acknowledging Mistakes in Leadership and Relationships

2min

Intergenerational Trauma and Political Authority

13min

Psychoanalytic Perspectives on Political Leadership and Ethics

4min

Psychoanalysis and Political Leadership

16min

A Psychoanalytic Study of Political Leadership in the United States and Russia: Searching for Truth (Routledge, 2024) provides psychoanalytic insight into the motives of this complex and contradictory topic.

The chapters written by the editor of this book focus on the importance of truth-telling and evidence as it relates to presidents of the United States. She studied the way in which some of these leaders have failed to tell the American people the truth about the Maddox incident, Abu Ghraib, the Iran-Contra affair, My Lai, and the real reasons why atomic bombs were detonated in Japan.

In the process of uncovering lies, over time this process has eroded trust in our leaders. She also explains epistemic trust which refers to the trust we place in others as sources of knowledge and information. It is a fundamental aspect of how we learn and understand the world, relying on the belief that the knowledge we receive from others is reliable and truthful. It plays a crucial role in various contexts, including education, science, with the media, and in everyday interpersonal interactions.

The other contributors, from different professional and academic backgrounds, use a range of methods including quantitative research and literary analysis to shed light on Putin’s background, outlook and current actions. Reflecting a range of perspectives on how Putin’s background may have informed his beliefs and his actions, particularly with respect to the invasion of Ukraine, the book brings together diverse viewpoints.

A Psychoanalytic Study of Political Leadership in the United States and Russia will be of great interest to psychoanalysts and to readers seeking to understand the complex dynamics of populist leadership.

Interview conducted by C.K. Westbrook.

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New Books in Psychology

Karyne E Messina, "A Psychoanalytic Study of Political Leadership in the United States and Russia: Searching for Truth" (Routledge, 2024)

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Understanding Political Deception

Epistemic Trust and Political Engagement

Intergenerational Trauma and Political Leaders

The Role of Literature in Political Identity

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts