Overcoming Psychological Trauma-Induced Bureaucratic Oppression

Abstract

The macro trend from political myths and authoritarianism to decentralized cooperation, and the rebirth of human rights and personal freedom, are unstoppable. However, traditional institutions – from families and small businesses to entrenched industries and nation-states – share a similar subordination model, a dominance hierarchy of ingroup members. Eliminating bureaucratic oppression is desirable regardless of one's political orientation or religious beliefs. We owe our children and their children a future free from violation and injustice and a culture that learns from mistakes and handles inevitable change in a compassionate and unbiased manner. Unfortunately, the traditional practices for overcoming bureaucratic oppression show some promise and significant limitations. This research article introduces the reader to common manipulation tactics and the victim-perpetrator mindset that plague modern societies. The article then offers a path for shedding a perpetual victimhood mentality for a more solution-oriented approach using critical and independent thinking. Next, the paper presents an everyday example of bureaucratic oppression, so there is no mistaking what it looks like, followed by an examination of how such harmful bureaucracies form in the first place. The research article then answers the question: can we overcome tyranny and authoritarianism and make our complex, modern technological society more just and humane? The answer is yes!