Non-Aligned Psychiatry in the Cold War: Revolution, Emancipation and Re-Imagining the Human Psyche

This book explores the relationship between socialist psychiatry and political ideology during the Cold War, tracing Yugoslav 'psy sciences as they experienced multiple internationalizations and globalizations in the post-WWII period. It argues that the 'psy disciplines provide a window onto the complications of Cold War internationalism, offering an opportunity to re-think postwar Europe's internal dynamics. It also offers the first analysis of East European psychiatrists' contacts with and contributions to the decolonizing world, exploring their participation in broader political discussions about decolonization, anti-imperialism, and non-alignment.

Format: Hardback
Length: 331 pages
Publication date: 19 January 2022
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This captivating book delves into the intricate relationship between socialist psychiatry and political ideology during the Cold War, shedding light on the fascinating journey of Yugoslav 'psy sciences as they navigated multiple internationalizations and globalizations in the post-WWII era. These unique transnational connections, spanning West, East, and South, remain at the heart of this insightful exploration. The author argues that the 'psy disciplines offer a valuable lens through which to examine the complexities of Cold War internationalism, presenting an opportunity to re-examine the internal dynamics of postwar Europe. Through an alternative, pan-European narrative, the author showcases that, even in the midst of ideological opposition, there existed sites of collaboration and vibrant exchange between the two camps. Places like Yugoslavia served as a meeting point, where ideas, frameworks, and professional and cultural networks from both sides of the Iron Curtain could converge and transform one another. Moreover, this book offers a pioneering analysis of East European psychiatrists' interactions and contributions to the decolonizing world, delving into their active participation in broader political discussions surrounding decolonization, anti-imperialism, and non-alignment.

The Yugoslav approach to East-West psychoanalysis and psychotherapy cultivated a distinct intellectual framework, empowering psychiatrists to grapple with a range of political and ideological dilemmas concerning the interplay between individuals and social structures. This book presents a comprehensive reevaluation of the concept of 'communist psychiatry as solely a tool of political oppression, instead highlighting the political interventions of East European psychiatry and psychoanalysis.

This monograph has received partial funding from the European Research Council (ERC) as part of the European Union's Horizon 2.

Weight: 570g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030894481
Edition number: 1st ed. 2021