The psychological impact of living under an autocratic regime

Illustration: TBS

Bangladeshi people have long been subjected to autocratic rule. For the last 16 years, the lives of ordinary people have been stuck in a rut, and they have been robbed of many things, including freedom of speech, access to fair and transparent elections, financial stability, and the ability to protest without fear of retribution. However, one aspect that has gone mostly unnoticed is the psychological impact of such a prolonged period of autocratic rule.

During the time of the AL-led government, the blatant apologetic stance of politicians and their sheer apathy toward the sufferings of common people have profoundly affected the psychology of individuals across all rungs of the social ladder. This has led to significant and often bizarre changes in their psyche and personal traits.

First and foremost, the autocratic regime has made people more aggressive and violent. As their inability to effect change becomes increasingly apparent, frustration builds up within, eventually snowballing into violence over time. In recent years, rising inflation has forced people to tighten their belts. Food inflation reached such a level that working-class individuals struggled to put food on the table. This struggle exposed their inner insecurity and growing helplessness, leading to heightened anger.

When someone struggles to meet the basic needs of their loved ones, it causes mental distress, which often manifests as sudden outbursts. This is what has happened to ordinary people over the last decade under the AL-led government. Consequently, people commuting outside become angry even at the slightest provocation. A glaring sign of this psychological change is the frequent scuffles and altercations over trivial matters. Even the violent outburst of the angry mob immediately after the despot's ouster attests to this psychological shift.

Secondly, citizens have become more ego-centric and selfish. During the autocratic regime, certain groups amassed significant wealth while ordinary people faced tough times. The widening income inequality and prevailing economic disparity have forced people to focus solely on their own interests. When society is perceived as a failed institution—unable to address growing income inequality—people develop a sense of detachment, confining their world to their own family or close acquaintances.

In such situations, people do not pay heed to any philosophy that requires sacrificing individual self-interest for a social cause. Talcott Parsons, an American sociologist, asserted that humans have a tendency to choose between alternatives (theory of action). One of Parsons' most popular dichotomies is 'ego-orientation vs. collective orientation.' Due to prolonged exposure to autocratic rule, people begin to prioritise ego-orientation (taking care of oneself) over collective-orientation (taking care of others). As a result, we witness situations where vested interests exploit others' vulnerabilities, such as price hikes during crises or Ramadan.

Thirdly, intolerance has grown to alarming levels. People have become intolerant of dissenting voices and differing faiths and beliefs. Autocratic rulers always try to suppress dissent to silence any voice that could challenge the establishment. In the process, intolerance becomes ingrained in many of us. 

For instance, when people tried to visit historic Dhanmondi 32 to pay homage to Bangabandhu on 15 August, a group of wayward youths barred them from entering. Just as students or others have the right to raise their voices against discrimination, those who respect Bangabandhu should have the right to remember him in a democratic culture without causing harm to anyone else. The aggressive attitude of those who stopped Bangabandhu's followers reflects the growing intolerance.

These unusual psychological transformations in the populace are direct by-products of prolonged authoritarian rule. The recently ousted government enforced or expected strict obedience to tyrannical rule at the expense of personal freedom. As personal freedom diminishes, there are also mental health implications. Now that the country is free from a dictatorial system, the interim government needs to consider the invisible afflictions on the population's mental health caused by peak despotism. Since psychological changes are gradual and often go unnoticed, they can take a more severe form if not addressed in time.

To address these issues and mitigate their effects on our psyche, the interim administration should consider liberating the lifeworld (individual and social life) from the influence of political and economic systems. According to Jürgen Habermas, a German sociologist and philosopher, our lifeworld is colonised by political and economic systems. 

Political decisions greatly influence economic and social life, often negatively impacting a nation's social fabric and economic health. For example, decisions to approve loans based on political affiliations and grant undue favours to habitual loan defaulters close to those in power have devastated the banking system, with devastating effects on our economy. Similarly, moves by the autocratic government, such as introducing draconian laws (e.g., the Cyber Security Act) and favouring certain sections of society, have had severe social repercussions for the entire population.

To help the masses cope with the shocks caused by autocracy, the interim government must first acknowledge this looming crisis. Consultation with social scientists or philosophers could provide the government with deeper insights into the mental scars inflicted and help chart a way forward. If necessary, the head of the interim government should appoint a social or philosophical adviser to ensure the citizens' mental well-being, just as other advisers are appointed.

Finally, decision-makers should allow the economy to be governed by relevant principles (financial and business concepts) while society is guided by our age-old cultural values and traditions, supported by the philosophy of interfaith harmony and peaceful coexistence among differing belief systems.

If the authorities fail to recognise these mental health implications, the tendency to vent seething anger and frustration inappropriately will increase, jeopardising the possibility of long-term peace and stability.

Sketch: TBS

Md Morshedul Alam Mohabat is a columnist who likes to delve deeper into the human psyche and social incongruities with a view to exploring the factors that influence these.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of The Business Standard.