Abstract
IN a recent essay (Hibbert J., 37, 513; 1939) on mental disease as a factor in the causation of war, Dr. Olof Kinberg, professor of forensic psychiatry at the University of Stockholm, remarks that though it is growing increasingly clear that war as a means of solving social problems is utterly futile, for the remedy is worse than the disease, many large countries are seeking to imbue even their children with an admiration for war and to do all they can to represent it as the most glorious exposition of national greatness, while other countries are making every possible effort to avoid war, though they are compelled to build up enormous armaments. Prof. Kinberg discusses some of the psychological features of modern society which may help to explain this paradoxical state of affairs. He points out that in order to mould public opinion the ruler must transform private citizens into a psychological mass and keep them in that condition for a considerable time. The production of this mass is brought about by the Press and the radio being in the hands of the Government, the formation of a bulwark against criticism and the persecution and destruction of anyone who dares to entertain different opinions.
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Mental Disease and War. Nature 144, 409 (1939). https://doi.org/10.1038/144409b0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/144409b0