Der Krieg und seine psychosozialen Funktionen

Wars are an expression of power-political, ideological and economic conflicts of interest. Behind it, however, there are certain functions that require careful analysis. The psychoanalyst Stavros Mentzos develops the thesis that narcissistic needs and deficits are compensated in armed conflicts. Inner conflicts, identity crises, depression, feelings of senselessness are shifted outwards. Contrary to the opinion of the majority of psychoanalysts, for Mentzos the human instinct for aggression is not the central motive of war, even if it is used as a support for the warlike act. If one looks at the psychosocial dimension of wars, there is also hope for a change in consciousness that can contribute to war prevention, which may one day help overcome the anachronistic institution of war. The new version of Mentzos' important work continues apart from the terrifying topicality of the topic.