Milgram’s work in his 1974 book Obedience to Authority provides a useful analytical tool for understanding the social mechanics that lead to gross violations of human rights. A socially constructed locus of authority supported by an institutional machinery, the socialisation of a worldview based on an us versus them philosophy that supplies ideological legitimacy to the authority’s commands, and the fragmentation of acts into narrower tasks in hierarchically structured bureaucracies which profit from most people’s tendency to obey authority. Based on available reports and key decisions made to date, it may be said that the social mechanics described by Milgram are in operation in the U.S. and that President Trump is both the product and the source of a political and social environment that is making it much easier for people to engage in behaviour that constitutes human rights violations - such as discriminatory acts, and that unless there is strong and consistent dissent, it is possible that the situation will continue to deteriorate.
Table of Contents
1. Abstract
2. Introduction
3. The social mechanics of gross human rights violations or how to get away with murder
4. Conclusion
5. References
Objectives and Topics
This paper examines the contemporary political climate in the United States by applying Stanley Milgram’s psychological theories on obedience to authority to the actions and rhetoric of President Trump. The research explores how institutionalized authority, the creation of ideological legitimacy through the construction of an "us versus them" dichotomy, and the bureaucratic fragmentation of moral responsibility can create an environment conducive to human rights violations.
- Application of Milgram's "Obedience to Authority" framework to modern political contexts.
- The role of "alternative facts" and propaganda in shaping public perception and legitimizing authority.
- Mechanisms of bureaucratic fragmentation and the diffusion of moral responsibility.
- The impact of divisive political rhetoric on social cohesion and the marginalization of outgroups.
Excerpt from the Book
The social mechanics of gross human rights violations or how to get away with murder
‘In democracies, men [sic] are placed in office through popular elections. Yet, once installed, they are no less in authority than those who get there by other means’ (Milgram, 2010: 179).
Although social contract theory tells us that in democracies it is the people that hold the power and through an act of delegation (elections) they bestow the execution of said power onto their representatives; there is a very real transference of authority which occurs. From the moment a person is elected into office, he or she becomes the embodiment of something much greater, much more intimidating than just someone doing a job. It is the symbolism and weight of their socially constructed locus of authority which sets off the social mechanics that Milgram describes.
Because authority in contemporary society is institutionalised; it is impersonal: ‘responses are made to abstract rank, indicated by an insignia, uniform or title’ (Milgram, 2010: 139). In consequence, ‘authority tends to be seen as something larger than the individual. (…) [A]n impersonal force, whose dictates transcend mere human wish or desire’ (Milgram, 2010: 146).
The implication is that people in positions of authority in institutionalised settings are attributed power much greater than the simple fact of their desire as ‘the [obedient] subject feels [the commands of authority] to be an imperative that goes beyond any merely human command (Milgram, 2010: 10).
Summary of Chapters
Abstract: This section outlines the analytical framework provided by Milgram's research and posits that his theories on authority and obedience are currently observable in the political environment of the U.S. under President Trump.
Introduction: The introduction sets the stage by arguing that human rights violations are not isolated events, but rather the result of environments created by leaders who manipulate the human tendency to obey authority.
The social mechanics of gross human rights violations or how to get away with murder: This chapter analyzes how institutionalized power and the "us versus them" ideology are leveraged to bypass democratic norms, specifically examining the implementation of the "Muslim Ban" and the fragmentation of responsibility within border agencies.
Conclusion: The conclusion synthesizes the arguments, reiterating that the political environment is making it easier for human rights violations to occur and emphasizing that consistent dissent is necessary to prevent further degradation of norms.
References: This section lists all academic and media sources utilized to support the analysis of the Trump administration's political actions.
Keywords
Obedience to Authority, Milgram, Human Rights Violations, President Trump, Institutionalised Authority, Ideological Legitimacy, Muslim Ban, Social Mechanics, Propaganda, Alternative Facts, Bureaucratic Fragmentation, Outgroup Devaluation, Democracy, Political Climate, Dissent.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
The research explores how Stanley Milgram’s psychological theories on obedience to authority can be used as an analytical tool to understand contemporary political events and potential human rights violations in the United States.
What are the central themes discussed in the paper?
The central themes include the nature of institutionalized authority, the use of divisive ideology to legitimize political commands, the role of propaganda, and the psychological mechanisms that lead individuals to participate in destructive bureaucratic processes.
What is the primary objective of this work?
The objective is to determine if the social mechanics described by Milgram—which enable human rights violations—are currently operating within the U.S. political climate under the current administration.
Which scientific methodology is applied here?
The author uses a qualitative analytical approach, applying established psychological and sociological theories (specifically Milgram’s research on obedience) to analyze political data, executive actions, and media reporting.
What topics are covered in the main body?
The main body examines the transition of authority in democracies, the creation of ideological legitimacy through the "us versus them" formula, the use of "alternative facts" to justify policy, and how bureaucratic structures fragment responsibility to facilitate the enforcement of controversial policies.
Which keywords best characterize the study?
Key terms include Obedience to Authority, Human Rights Violations, Institutionalized Authority, Ideological Legitimacy, and Bureaucratic Fragmentation.
How does the author explain the implementation of the "Muslim Ban"?
The author frames the "Muslim Ban" as an act fragmented into smaller tasks within a bureaucratic system, which allows individual border agents to perform discriminatory acts while distancing themselves from the broader moral implications.
What role do "alternative facts" play according to this paper?
According to the author, "alternative facts" function as propaganda that strengthens group cohesion among supporters, justifies the administration’s ideological stance, and creates doubt among the public to suppress dissent and resistance.
What does the author suggest as a solution to prevent the deterioration of the situation?
The author concludes that consistent dissent and strong, collective resistance against policies that infringe upon human rights are the essential keys to preventing the situation from deteriorating further.
- Citation du texte
- Stef Monaco (Auteur), 2017, Milgram, the social mechanics of gross human rights violations, and President Trump, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/367236
