Can a nation have a coherent character? If we take the question seriously -- investigating reality rather than merely asserting nobility -- we see in the U.S. national character signs of pathology and decay as well as health and vigor. What if, for purposes of analysis, we treated the nation as a person? Scan the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of the American Psychiatric Association (the bible of mental-health professionals, now in its fourth edition) and one category jumps out: Narcissistic Personality Disorder.
DSM-IV describes the disorder as “a pervasive pattern of grandiosity (in fantasy or behavior), need for admiration, and lack of empathy” that can be diagnosed when any five of these nine criteria are met:
- a grandiose sense of self-importance.
- preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love.
- believes he or she is special and unique.
- requires excessive admiration.
- sense of entitlement.
- interpersonally exploitative, taking advantage of others to achieve his or her own ends.
- lacks empathy.
- often envious of others or believes that others are envious of him or her.
- shows arrogant, haughty behaviors or attitudes.
Narcissistic tendencies to self-aggrandize are not unique to the United States, of course. But given the predominance of U.S. power in the world, we should worry most about the consequences of such narcissism here.
This disorder is bipartisan, and is virtually required of all mainstream politicians.
Remember, only 5 of the 9 criteria have to be met to diagnose Narcissistic Personality Disorder.
So, in your opinion, does the USofA suffer from Narcissistic Personality Disorder? Does the current Administration and Republican Party?
Show of hands please:
- Those for USofA......
- Those for the Administration and Republican Party.....
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