Moral-Psychological Aspects of Ethno-political Conflicts in Russia and Other Post-Soviet Countries

P. 133–156.

Obolonsky A. V.

The chapter observing psychoanalytic and other psychological approaches to description and overcoming ethnopolitical conflicts in Russia and other post-Soviet countries. The materials of the International Dialogue Initiative group and the scientific works of its members are used broadly. The notion of psychological trauma and phenomenon of post-traumatic syndrome, inherent in transit societies, are considered in detail. National enmity is subject on analysis through the psychoanalytic concept of “chosen trauma”. The special attention is paid to the issues of psychological treatment aspects of ethnical traumas. Relation to former war as to common trauma, but mourned and buried trauma, might be helpful for adaptive transformation of it in the public consciousness and reconciliation between former enemies, in the end. The conception of essential human need to have both enemies and allies, elaborated by outstanding psychoanalyst Vamik Volkan, is one of the key factors for it.

Keywords: history, war, conciliation, psychoanalysis, post-traumatic syndrome, psychological trauma, allies, national enmity, historical fault

In book

We Don’t Speak Of Fear: Large-Group Identity, Societal Conflict and Collective Trauma

Bicester: Phoenix Publishing House, 2023.