Self-Objects, Self-Representation, and Sense-Making Crises: Political Instability in the 1980s

Abstract

This paper presents a psychologically derived theory of revolution based on the notion of crises. It is suggested that a revolution is a phase in a process which may occur when a high proportion of a society experience an inability to construct their worlds in a satisfactory and fulfilling manner. Using psychoanalytic self-psychology, the role of self-objects in this process is specified as is the place of ideology and leadership. Ideology is seen as the mechanism by which individuals imbue their lives with meaning. Self-objects, a crucial part of all ideologies, can supply psychological well-being or lack of self-esteem leading to rage. Leaders create and disseminate ideologies which provide accounts of people's experiences as well as solutions to those sense-making crises especially likely to arise at times of rapid change. Leaders can also use sense-making crises and rage to mobilize their followers for political action including revolution.