A Psychological Analysis of Political Violence

The topic of this book is a psychological perspective on political violence conducted by state-agents. In particular it focuses on one former Security Branch policeman from South Africa, Paul Erasmus. The issue with which this thesis is concerned is how one can understand the motivations and intentions of perpetrators of political violence based on narrative accounts by the perpetrators themselves. The book considers previous academic studies on perpetrators of political violence, as well as media representations and transcripts from Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) relating to the perpetrator in question. A three-hour interview conducted with Paul Erasmus by the author is analysed using applied discourse analysis. The narrative is also examined in relation to the model set out by Foster et al (2005). It is found that Paul Erasmus locates his motivations and intentions in the context of the Cold War and the ideology prevailing amongst the Security Forces in South Africa at the time. It is also found that there is strong support for Foster et als’ (2005) model, particularly with reference to the notions of entitlement and masculinity.