Abuse of Power John P. J. Dussich

The 11th APGC on Victimology and Victim Assistance Jakarta,

Indonesia

Abuse of Abuse of PowerPower

John P. J. DussichJohn P. J. Dussich

July , 2011July , 2011

““The lust of power is the most flagrant of all the The lust of power is the most flagrant of all the passions.”passions.”

TacitusTacitus

The 11th APGC on Victimology and Victim Assistance Jakarta,

Indonesia

IntroductionIntroduction

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 corrupttrying to gain political favor with a corruptgovernment 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 notnot reflect his true philosophy and he reflect his true philosophy and he wrote outside his true convictions, it wrote outside his true convictions, it permanently associated him with permanently associated him with corruption and abuse.corruption and abuse.

The 11th APGC on Victimology and Victim Assistance Jakarta,

Indonesia

HistoryHistoryFrom 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 abusersabusers of of power. Some of the more power. Some of the more infamousinfamous 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 Milosović, and Saddam Hussein.Milosović, and Saddam Hussein.

The 11th APGC on Victimology and Victim Assistance Jakarta,

Indonesia

History History continuedcontinued

However, some responses to abuses have However, some responses to abuses have also motivated individual also motivated individual crusaderscrusaders, who , who became became heroesheroes 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 Mandela.Mandela.

The 11th APGC on Victimology and Victim Assistance Jakarta,

Indonesia

For and Against AbuseFor and Against Abuse

Two abusers Two crusadersTwo abusers Two crusaders

The 11th APGC on Victimology and Victim Assistance Jakarta,

Indonesia

Examples of Abuse of Power victims: Examples of Abuse of Power victims:

1944 in 1944 in Germany - Jews 1994 in Rwanda - TutsisGermany - Jews 1994 in Rwanda - Tutsis

The 11th APGC on Victimology and Victim Assistance Jakarta,

Indonesia

Some responses have been organized Some responses have been organized violentviolent efforts efforts resulting in wars within and between nations. resulting in wars within and between nations.

Some have been Some have been peacefulpeaceful 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 resolveinternational 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 Powerof 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 CourtCriminal Court located in the Hague, the Netherlands. located in the Hague, the Netherlands.

The 11th APGC on Victimology and Victim Assistance Jakarta,

Indonesia

Basic DefinitionsBasic Definitions AbuseAbuse – 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, mental injury, emotional suffering, economic loss or substantial impairment of economic loss or substantial impairment of fundamental rights, through acts or fundamental rights, through acts or omissions that do not yet constitute omissions that do not yet constitute violations of national criminal laws but of violations of national criminal laws but of internationally recognized norms relating to internationally recognized norms relating to human rights” (UN Declaration, 1985). human rights” (UN Declaration, 1985).

PowerPower – “A recognized aggregation of – “A recognized aggregation of forces of significant magnitude that can forces of significant magnitude that can exert a major influence over people” exert a major influence over people” (Dussich, 1991).(Dussich, 1991).

The 11th APGC on Victimology and Victim Assistance Jakarta,

Indonesia

Other DefinitionsOther Definitions

I define I define abuse of powerabuse 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). forces (Dussich, 1991).

The 11th APGC on Victimology and Victim Assistance Jakarta,

Indonesia

Causal StatementCausal Statement Using the behavioral precepts of my Psycho/Social Using the behavioral precepts of my Psycho/Social

Coping Theory, a Coping Theory, a causal statementcausal statement for abuse of for abuse of power would be:power would be:

“ “Abuse of power results when a powerful social Abuse of power results when a powerful social entity (entity (abuserabuser) with extensive resources seeking ) with extensive resources seeking specific objectives, takes purposive actions specific objectives, takes purposive actions ((methodsmethods) to obtain expected rewards, with little ) to obtain expected rewards, with little or no regard for the injury caused to persons or no regard for the injury caused to persons ((victimsvictims), principles or property. The expectations ), principles or property. The expectations and methods used by the abuser are shaped by and methods used by the abuser are shaped by learned, socio-cultural notions that justify violations learned, socio-cultural notions that justify violations of international standards that for them promise of international standards that for them promise significant rewards with significant rewards with impunityimpunity.”.”

The 11th APGC on Victimology and Victim Assistance Jakarta,

Indonesia

TaxonomyTaxonomy

Based on this causal statement a Based on this causal statement a taxonomy is hereby presented based taxonomy is hereby presented based on on threethree of the main variables: an of the main variables: an abuserabuser who misuses power; a who misuses power; a methodmethod which directs that power; which directs that power; and, a and, a victimvictim who suffers from the who suffers from the abuse of that power.abuse of that power.

Using this taxonomy six infamous Using this taxonomy six infamous examples of abuse of power are here examples of abuse of power are here listed: listed:

The 11th APGC on Victimology and Victim Assistance Jakarta,

Indonesia

Examples of Collective Abusers of Examples of Collective Abusers of PowerPower

Types of Abusers Actual Abusers Methods used Victims

Governements Former South Africa ApartheidBlacks and Coloreds

CorporationsExxon'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 KlanIntimidation, assault and Murder

Black Southern Americans

The 11th APGC on Victimology and Victim Assistance Jakarta,

Indonesia

PragmaticsPragmatics MeasurementMeasurement – 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 studies have been conducted to measure its extent and nature. The closest estimates indicate extent and nature. The closest estimates indicate that that the number of abuse of power killings from the number of abuse of power killings from the last centurythe last century were close to the were close to the entire world entire world population at the time of Jesus Christ just population at the time of Jesus Christ just two millennia ago (two millennia ago (169 million compared to169 million compared to about 200 millonabout 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 because of the abuse of power in the past past centurycentury than in any of the other previous than in any of the other previous centuries.centuries.

The 11th APGC on Victimology and Victim Assistance Jakarta,

Indonesia

PRAGMATICSPRAGMATICS continued continued

In almost all abuse of power events great In almost all abuse of power events great rewardsrewards 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 heroesheroes as a direct result of as a direct result of their actions towards their victims. their actions towards their victims.

PreventionPrevention – 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 decisions which give rise to abuse of power decisions which give rise to abuse of power behaviors.behaviors.

The 11th APGC on Victimology and Victim Assistance Jakarta,

Indonesia

TheoryTheory

The three most often cited theoretical perspectives on The three most often cited theoretical perspectives on international conflict are: the international conflict are: the functionalistfunctionalist, the , the conflictconflict and and the the social psychologicalsocial psychological..

The The functionalist perspectivefunctionalist perspective focuses on the product of focuses on the product of world world disorganizationdisorganization. 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 perspectiveconflict perspective focuses on focuses on economic and economic and political exploitationpolitical 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 perspectivesocial psychological perspective considers both considers both individual and cultural issuesindividual 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 territoriality, which when threatened, produces armed territoriality, which when threatened, produces armed warfare and mass victimization.warfare and mass victimization.

The 11th APGC on Victimology and Victim Assistance Jakarta,

Indonesia

ConclusionsConclusions It is clear that our world mechanisms to prevent abuses It is clear that our world mechanisms to prevent abuses

of power by rouge leaders is, for the most part, of power by rouge leaders is, for the most part, ineffectiveineffective. If the current trend continues, this next . If the current trend continues, this next century will experience an even greater number of century will experience an even greater number of abuses of power and the victim numbers will exceed abuses of power and the victim numbers will exceed those of this century. 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 continuesif 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 unpunishedunpunished; 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 UN’s Security Council and the International Criminal Court in the Hague are very slow, under- staffed, under-Court in the Hague are very slow, under- staffed, under-funded and politically handicapped to the point of virtual funded 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.recover.

The 11th APGC on Victimology and Victim Assistance Jakarta,

Indonesia

A Possible SolutionA Possible Solution In my opinion at least In my opinion at least four essential changesfour essential changes must must

take place to prevent further abuses:take place to prevent further abuses:11stst, armed political power must be , armed political power must be defuseddefused, , sharedshared and and controlledcontrolled within democratic processes; 2 within democratic processes; 2ndnd, all , all violations must be violations must be responded toresponded to by the community by the community of nations quickly, decisively of nations quickly, decisively with adequate with adequate severity of punishmentseverity of punishment so that the basic principles so that the basic principles of deterrence will thwart those who might of deterrence will thwart those who might contemplate future abuses of power; 3contemplate future abuses of power; 3rdrd, an , an international resolve againstinternational resolve against this trend must be this trend must be manifested in an existing world organization, manifested in an existing world organization, logically the United Nations; and 4logically the United Nations; and 4thth, , vulnerable vulnerable groupsgroups of pre-victims, must be of pre-victims, must be empoweredempowered (by (by providing them with financial, political, educational, providing them with financial, political, educational, and cultural resources) so that they are and cultural resources) so that they are permanently removed from harm’s way.permanently removed from harm’s way.

The 11th APGC on Victimology and Victim Assistance Jakarta,

Indonesia

A Plan of ActionA 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 conflictsconflicts 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 of recovery with dignity and humanness as an action reflecting the joint resolve of the community of nations. reflecting the joint resolve of the community of nations.

The 11th APGC on Victimology and Victim Assistance Jakarta,

Indonesia

““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.” VoltaireVoltaire

The 11th APGC on Victimology and Victim Assistance Jakarta,

Indonesia

The Wall of Sorrow, San Salvador, El Salvador in memory of The Wall of Sorrow, San Salvador, El Salvador in memory of the thousands of civilians killed in their civil war.the thousands of civilians killed in their civil war.

The 11th APGC on Victimology and Victim Assistance Jakarta,

Indonesia

ReferencesReferences 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 ffür 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 Francais Dramatiques de Voltaire.Francais Dramatiques de Voltaire.