We are psychologists and social scientists with expertise in the psychology of terrorism, violence, conflict, enmity, domination, trauma, fear, humiliation and creative ways of ending cycles of retaliation. As war preparations accelerate, we see evidence for a clear and present danger that can be prevented.
As psychotherapists, we are bound by an ethical code. If someone is dangerous to oneself or others, we are legally required to warn those in danger. We cannot remain silent in the face of avoidable danger.
In our professional opinion, the war being planned is likely to trigger a series of violent reactions which could spiral out of control and traumatize untold numbers of innocents. The effects of trauma are devastating and long-lasting, extending from individuals to families and society. Transmitted from generation to generation, they perpetuate suffering and political conflicts. Surviving soldiers suffer psychological and physical syndromes, guilt, depression, despair, suicide, crime and homelessness.
For billions, war will be experienced as an escalation of the hatred, terror and evil that is brewing. It will provoke massive uprisings against Americans and allies as retaliation - if and when President Bush orders an attack. Threats, humiliation, and military buildup plant psychological time bombs, increasing recruitment, motivation and justification for acts of terror. War is likely increase rather than decrease terrorism. We and our descendants may all be in harm’s way.
War planners, gripped by indignations and hidden geopolitical motivations, tend to be overconfident, exaggerating potential for success while downplaying negative consequences. They surround themselves with advisors who support one-sided views, and ignore, dismiss or punish those who warn of dangers. They are surprised when events backfire catastrophically. Most negative unintended consequences, due to psychological ignorance, are predictable and inevitable if we go to war. History is filled with military blunders and unintended consequences.
The administration and mainstream media present illogical, uninformed, and dishonest justifications for war that require denial of facts, irrational beliefs, and disregard for consequences. Exaggerated threats and stereotyped enemy images increase fear and tension and can produce self-fulfilling prophecies. Beliefs that violence is “necessary”, with no better alternatives, ignore bodies of knowledge of tension reduction and conflict transformation.
The fantasy that US forces can simply destroy Saddam and establish democracy without unleashing catastrophic reactions, is naive and unrealistic. We have been misled to believe war will prevent violence later. CIA officials, military leaders, and social scientists say the opposite is true. What is deceptively called a “preemptive strike” and “preventive war” is more accurately called a provocative strike. An aggressive bullying style, tough talk, and domination produce unstable, dangerous conditions.
Gripped by one-sided images of a dangerous, evil enemy, we are oblivious to the “mirror image of the enemy,” by which they see themselves as noble, just, and true, and us as hostile, aggressive, and evil. Military violence will confirm their images, increase demonization of the US, and inflame passions for retaliation in “self-defense.” People are more dangerous when threatened and backed into a corner. The way to be more secure is to make your enemy more secure.
In a world with proliferating weapons of mass destruction and terrorism as asymmetrical warfare, there is no amount of domination that cannot be turned against us. Boldly threatening to use nukes, we provoke proliferation by frightening terrorist groups and countries into acquiring them for deterrence and self-protection.
Strategies of war and counter-terrorism aimed at physical elimination enemies, terrorists and "infrastructure" without addressing the underlying psychological forces and causes, provoke more clever terrorism and escalate cycles of retaliation. There is no endgame. They cannot make us safer.
We are warning the public to see through the deceptive manipulation of emotions and beliefs in a “necessary” war. War is not a last resort. It is the worst resort. War is a failure of imagination. The current paradigm is not survivable.
We have knowledge and ability to devote resources to replace war with effective, scientific methods, based on understanding the psychology of our enemies and reduction of tension, fear, and violence A few examples are setting up a council of wise elders, including Nobel Peace Prize winners, indicting Saddam to the International Criminal Court, working with allies, deploying the Global Nonviolent Peace force, citizen diplomacy, sending massive numbers of unarmed civilians, a Marshall plan, and other ideas to be explored by wise experts.
We must all do everything in our power to prevent a catastrophe. Americans have the capacity to use our great power in new ways, consistent with the true ideals of our country.
Diane Perlman, PhD & Marc Pilisuk, PhD. are licensed psychologists, political psychologists, and Co-chairs, Committee on Global Violence and Security, of the Society for the Study of Peace, Conflict and Violence, Division 48 of the American Psychological Association and Psychologists for Social Responsibility (for identification purposes.) Both have contributed chapters to The Psychology of Terrorism, Edited by Chris Stout, 2002
Diane Perlman, PhD:
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