Abuse of
Abuse of
Power
Power
John P. J. Dussich
John P. J. Dussich
July , 2011 July , 2011
“
“The lust of power is the most flagrant of all the The lust of power is the most flagrant of all the passions.”
Introduction
Introduction
In 1532 Niccolo Machiavelli, a well
In 1532 Niccolo Machiavelli, a well
known Italian statesman and writer, in
known Italian statesman and writer, in
trying to gain political favor with a corrupt
trying to gain political favor with a corrupt
government so as to unite Italy, wrote
government so as to unite Italy, wrote
in his book
in his book
The Prince,
The Prince,
that “to get power
that “to get power
and remain in power a leader had to forget
and remain in power a leader had to forget
ideals.” Although these suggestions did
ideals.” Although these suggestions did
not
not
reflect his true philosophy and he wrote
reflect his true philosophy and he wrote
outside his true convictions, it permanently
outside his true convictions, it permanently
History
History
From antiquity to the present, history is
From antiquity to the present, history is
replete with dramatic and diverse
replete with dramatic and diverse
examples of individual victim
examples of individual victim
abusers
abusers
of
of
power. Some of the more
power. Some of the more
infamous
infamous
were:
were:
Caligula, Nero, Attila the Hun, Genghis
Caligula, Nero, Attila the Hun, Genghis
Khan, Shaka the Zulu, Adolf Hilter, Josef
Khan, Shaka the Zulu, Adolf Hilter, Josef
Stalin, Idi Amin, Pol Pot, Slobodan
Stalin, Idi Amin, Pol Pot, Slobodan
History
History
continued
continued
However, some responses to abuses have
However, some responses to abuses have
also motivated individual
also motivated individual
crusaders
crusaders
, who
, who
became
became
heroes
heroes
on behalf of mass victim
on behalf of mass victim
suffering: Mahatma Gandhi, Harriet
suffering: Mahatma Gandhi, Harriet
Tubmen, Martin Luther King Jr., Mother
Tubmen, Martin Luther King Jr., Mother
Theresa, Bishop Desmond Tutu and Nelson
Theresa, Bishop Desmond Tutu and Nelson
For and Against Abuse
For and Against Abuse
Examples of Abuse of Power victims:
Examples of Abuse of Power victims:
1944 in
Some responses have been organized
Some responses have been organized
violent
violent
efforts
efforts
resulting in wars within and between nations.
resulting in wars within and between nations.
Some have been
Some have been
peaceful
peaceful
efforts resulting in organizations
efforts resulting in organizations
created to address major abuses: Amnesty International,
created to address major abuses: Amnesty International,
International Red Cross and Red Crescent, World Society of
International Red Cross and Red Crescent, World Society of
Victimology, International Society for Social Defense.
Victimology, International Society for Social Defense.
The international instrument created in 1985 to alert the
The international instrument created in 1985 to alert the
world about the
world about the
international resolve
international resolve
against abuse of
against abuse of
power was the
power was the
United Nations Declaration of Basic
United Nations Declaration of Basic
Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime and Abuse
Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime and Abuse
of Power
of Power
.
.
The most recent organization created to deal directly and
The most recent organization created to deal directly and
legally with abusers of power is the
legally with abusers of power is the
International
International
Criminal Court
Basic Definitions
Basic Definitions
Abuse
Abuse
– The violation of a standard,
– The violation of a standard,
especially an agreed upon standard, where
especially an agreed upon standard, where
persons, either “individually or collectively,
persons, either “individually or collectively,
have suffered harm, including physical or
have suffered harm, including physical or
mental injury, emotional suffering, economic
mental injury, emotional suffering, economic
loss or substantial impairment of fundamental
loss or substantial impairment of fundamental
rights, through acts or omissions that do not
rights, through acts or omissions that do not
yet constitute violations of national criminal
yet constitute violations of national criminal
laws but of internationally recognized norms
laws but of internationally recognized norms
relating to human rights” (UN Declaration,
relating to human rights” (UN Declaration,
1985).
1985).
Power
Power
– “A recognized aggregation of forces
– “A recognized aggregation of forces
of significant magnitude that can exert a
of significant magnitude that can exert a
Other Definitions
Other Definitions
I define
I define
abuse of power
abuse of power
as the
as the
violation of an international standard
violation of an international standard
in the use of forces such that persons
in the use of forces such that persons
are injured physically, mentally,
are injured physically, mentally,
emotionally, economically, or in their
emotionally, economically, or in their
rights, as a direct and intentional
rights, as a direct and intentional
result of the misapplication of these
result of the misapplication of these
forces (Dussich, 1991).
Causal Statement
Causal Statement
Using the behavioral precepts of my Psycho/Social
Using the behavioral precepts of my Psycho/Social
Coping Theory, a
Coping Theory, a
causal statement
causal statement
for abuse of power
for abuse of power
would be:
would be:
“
“
Abuse of power results when a powerful social entity
Abuse of power results when a powerful social entity
(
(
abuser
abuser
) with extensive resources seeking specific
) with extensive resources seeking specific
objectives, takes purposive actions (
objectives, takes purposive actions (
methods
methods
) to
) to
obtain expected rewards, with little or no regard for
obtain expected rewards, with little or no regard for
the injury caused to persons (
the injury caused to persons (
victims
victims
), principles or
), principles or
property. The expectations and methods used by the
property. The expectations and methods used by the
abuser are shaped by learned, socio-cultural notions
abuser are shaped by learned, socio-cultural notions
that justify violations of international standards that
that justify violations of international standards that
for them promise significant rewards with
Taxonomy
Taxonomy
Based on this causal statement a
Based on this causal statement a
taxonomy is hereby presented based
taxonomy is hereby presented based
on
on
three
three
of the main variables: an
of the main variables: an
abuser
abuser
who misuses power; a
who misuses power; a
method
method
which directs that power; and, a
which directs that power; and, a
victim
victim
who suffers from the abuse of
who suffers from the abuse of
that power.
that power.
Using this taxonomy six infamous
Using this taxonomy six infamous
examples of abuse of power are here
Examples of Collective Abusers of
Examples of Collective Abusers of
Power
Power
Types of Abusers Actual Abusers Methods used Victims
Governements Former South Africa Apartheid
Blacks and Coloreds
Corporations
Exxon's ship
"Valdez" Oil Pollution
Alaskan flora, fauna, & environs Crime
Organizations Mafia Rackteering Businesses & citizens Religious
Organizations
Medieval Catholic
Church Inquisition
“Heretics” - mostly women
Correctional
Institutions Prison guards
Torture & excessive
force Inmates
Secret Societies Ku Klux Klan
Intimidation,
assault and Murder
Pragmatics
Pragmatics
Measurement
Measurement
– the magnitude of the abuse of
– the magnitude of the abuse of
power problem far exceeds the problem of
power problem far exceeds the problem of
conventional crime. Yet, few comprehensive
conventional crime. Yet, few comprehensive
studies have been conducted to measure its extent
studies have been conducted to measure its extent
and nature. The closest estimates indicate that
and nature. The closest estimates indicate that
the
the
number of abuse of power killings from the last
number of abuse of power killings from the last
century
century were close to the
were close to the
entire world
entire world
population at the time of Jesus Christ just two
population at the time of Jesus Christ just two
millennia ago (
millennia ago (
169 million compared to
169 million compared to
about
about
200 millon
200 millon
)
)
(Rummel, 1997).
This means that more humans have been killed
This means that more humans have been killed
because of the abuse of power in the
PRAGMATICS
PRAGMATICS
continued
continued
In almost all abuse of power events great
In almost all abuse of power events great
rewards
rewards
were reaped by the abusers; in almost all cases
were reaped by the abusers; in almost all cases
abusers enjoyed complete
abusers enjoyed complete
impunity
impunity
from their
from their
mass victimizations; and, in some cases the
mass victimizations; and, in some cases the
abusers were made
abusers were made
heroes
heroes
as a direct result of
as a direct result of
their actions towards their victims.
their actions towards their victims.
Prevention
Prevention
– To effectively achieve any success
– To effectively achieve any success
at positive social change we must go beyond
at positive social change we must go beyond
repeated descriptions of abuses of power (no
repeated descriptions of abuses of power (no
matter how compelling). We must move to
matter how compelling). We must move to
actions that can directly thwart those abuser
actions that can directly thwart those abuser
Theory
Theory
The three most often cited theoretical perspectives on
The three most often cited theoretical perspectives on
international conflict are: the
international conflict are: the
functionalist
functionalist
, the conflict
, the
conflict
and
and
the
the social psychological
social psychological
.
.
The
The
functionalist perspective
functionalist perspective
focuses on the product of
focuses on the product of
world
world
disorganization
disorganization
. Each nation has different self
. Each nation has different self
interests; as these collide with one another, disputes arise
interests; as these collide with one another, disputes arise
which result in war and produce mass victimization.
which result in war and produce mass victimization.
The
The
conflict perspective
conflict perspective
focuses on
focuses on
economic and
economic and
political exploitation
political exploitation
. The capitalist nations obtain labor and
. The capitalist nations obtain labor and
raw materials from underdeveloped nations reaping vast
raw materials from underdeveloped nations reaping vast
profits; and, in their wake, leave large numbers of victims.
profits; and, in their wake, leave large numbers of victims.
The
The
social psychological perspective
social psychological perspective
considers both
considers both
individual and cultural issues
individual and cultural issues
. Thus,. instinctive as well as
. Thus,. instinctive as well as
learned aggressiveness produces a sense of ethnocentric
learned aggressiveness produces a sense of ethnocentric
Conclusions
Conclusions
It is clear that our world mechanisms to prevent abuses of
It is clear that our world mechanisms to prevent abuses of
power by rouge leaders is, for the most part,
power by rouge leaders is, for the most part,
ineffective
ineffective
. If
. If
the current trend continues, this next century will
the current trend continues, this next century will
experience an even greater number of abuses of power
experience an even greater number of abuses of power
and the victim numbers will exceed those of this century.
and the victim numbers will exceed those of this century.
The facts are: the world population continues to grow at
The facts are: the world population continues to grow at
an unprecedented rate (
an unprecedented rate (
if current growth continues
if current growth continues
the
the
world's population of 6.5 billion today will become 13
world's population of 6.5 billion today will become 13
billion by 2067)
billion by 2067)
; recent violations of human rights abuses
; recent violations of human rights abuses
have gone mostly
have gone mostly
unpunished
unpunished
; most of these offenders
; most of these offenders
have enjoyed the fruits of their abuses with impunity; the
have enjoyed the fruits of their abuses with impunity; the
UN’s Security Council and the International Criminal Court
UN’s Security Council and the International Criminal Court
in the Hague are very slow, under- staffed, under-funded
in the Hague are very slow, under- staffed, under-funded
and politically handicapped to the point of virtual
and politically handicapped to the point of virtual
ineffectiveness; little is being done for vulenrable groups;
ineffectiveness; little is being done for vulenrable groups;
and, the victims of abuses of power, for the most part, do
and, the victims of abuses of power, for the most part, do
not get the services they need and deserve in order to
not get the services they need and deserve in order to
recover.
A Possible Solution
A Possible Solution
In my opinion at least
In my opinion at least
four essential changes
four essential changes
must
must
take place to prevent further abuses:
take place to prevent further abuses:
1
1
stst, armed political power must be
, armed political power must be
defused
defused
,
,
shared
shared
and
and
controlled
controlled
within democratic processes; 2
within democratic processes; 2
ndnd, all
, all
violations must be
violations must be
responded to
responded to
by the community
by the community
of nations quickly, decisively
of nations quickly, decisively
with adequate severity
with adequate severity
of punishment
of punishment
so that the basic principles of
so that the basic principles of
deterrence will thwart those who might contemplate
deterrence will thwart those who might contemplate
future abuses of power; 3
future abuses of power; 3
rdrd, an
, an
international resolve
international resolve
against
against
this trend must be manifested in an existing
this trend must be manifested in an existing
world organization, logically the United Nations; and
world organization, logically the United Nations; and
4
4
thth,
,
vulnerable groups
vulnerable groups
of pre-victims, must be
of pre-victims, must be
empowered
empowered
(by providing them with financial,
(by providing them with financial,
A Plan of Action
A Plan of Action
I propose that: 1. a I propose that: 1. a deterrent mechanismdeterrent mechanism be established by be established by the UN Security Council so that realistic, effective and
the UN Security Council so that realistic, effective and
humane methods are created to bring offenders to justice; 2.
humane methods are created to bring offenders to justice; 2.
programs be initiated to target cultural supports that
programs be initiated to target cultural supports that
encourage hero worship for those who would use armed force
encourage hero worship for those who would use armed force
against vulnerable ethnic groups who have been marked as
against vulnerable ethnic groups who have been marked as
historical enemies and replaced with
historical enemies and replaced with new heroesnew heroes who work who work toward and successfully achieve
toward and successfully achieve peaceful resolutions for peaceful resolutions for conflicts
conflicts among old enemies; 3. among old enemies; 3. democratic institutionsdemocratic institutions be be encouraged and supported in all countries, especially among
encouraged and supported in all countries, especially among
those authoritative and totalitarian regimes from whence
those authoritative and totalitarian regimes from whence
most of the abuse of power emanates, and from where most
most of the abuse of power emanates, and from where most
vulnerable groups are found, so that power becomes a shared
vulnerable groups are found, so that power becomes a shared
entity, monitored and controlled to serve the needs of all the
entity, monitored and controlled to serve the needs of all the
people it is entrusted to protect and is kept accountable
people it is entrusted to protect and is kept accountable
according to international human rights norms and standards;
according to international human rights norms and standards;
and, 4. all living abuse of power
and, 4. all living abuse of power victims be treatedvictims be treated with state with state of the art interventions to insure that their sufferings are
of the art interventions to insure that their sufferings are
addressed such that victims are brought to a functional level
addressed such that victims are brought to a functional level
of recovery with dignity and humanness as an action
“
“
We owe respect to the
We owe respect to the
living; to the dead we owe
living; to the dead we owe
only truth.”
only truth.”
The Wall of Sorrow, San Salvador, El Salvador in memory
References
References
Dussich, J. P. J. (1991) “Some theoretical and Pragmatic Dussich, J. P. J. (1991) “Some theoretical and Pragmatic Observations on the Abuse of Power,”
Observations on the Abuse of Power,” Victims and Criminal Justice: Particular Groups of Victims Part 2, G. Kaiser, H. Kury, G. Kaiser, H. Kury, H.-J. Albrecht (eds.) Freiburg in Breisgau: Max-Planck-Institute
H.-J. Albrecht (eds.) Freiburg in Breisgau: Max-Planck-Institute
f
für Ausländisches und Internationales Strafrecht volume 52.ür Ausländisches und Internationales Strafrecht volume 52. Machiavelli, N. (1532) Machiavelli, N. (1532) The Prince and other works. (1941)
Translated by A. H. Gilbert. Chicago: Packard and Company.
Rummel, R. J. (1997) Rummel, R. J. (1997) Statistics of Democide, Charlotte, , Charlotte, Virginia, Center for National Security Law, School of Law,
Virginia, Center for National Security Law, School of Law,
University of Virginia, New Brunswick, N. J. Transaction
University of Virginia, New Brunswick, N. J. Transaction
Publishers and Rutgers Univeristy.
Publishers and Rutgers Univeristy.
United Nations Declaration of Basic Principles of Justice for
Victims of Crime and Abuse of Power, (1985) Adopted by the , (1985) Adopted by the General Assembly Resolution 40/34 of 29 November 1985.
General Assembly Resolution 40/34 of 29 November 1985.
Voltaire, A. de (1840) Voltaire, A. de (1840) Premiere Lettre sur Oedipe. Theatres . Theatres
