Dictatorships - Human Rights - The Structure of Torture
Violations of human rights are a common feature in forced rule. In the book A Lexicon of Terror, the author shows the methods used to create to empower the illegitimate leaderships and suppress their opposition. The book also proceeds to show how in these regimes, violations of human rights are used to strengthen the governments. This paper will show the methods used by dictatorships to strengthen their rule and undermine opposition.
In the “The Structure of Torture”, Elaine Scarry proposes that torture is used in unstable and contestable rules. Torture is a form of abuse of human rights. However, on its own, it is not sufficient to inspire people to follow a dictator because it is technically impossible to torture the entire population. However, she also proposes that demonstration of the instruments of terror is often a sufficient torture method (Scarry, 1985). Though the real acts of torture involves infliction of pain, a physical act, and a verbal act in the form of interrogation, she shows that showing instruments of terror to the victims is a form of torture. For this reason, there were many forms of torture used in Argentina, such as the demonstration of the raw ability of the government (Scarry, 1985). The following are the methods used to strengthen the Argentine dictatorship as outline in ‘A Lexicon of Terror'.
[...] The following are the methods used to strengthen the Argentine dictatorship as outline in Lexicon of Terror'. Use mystery in the action and intentions of the regime Mystery is a common feature in dictatorships. For example, in the movie ‘Death and the Maiden', the victim of torture, Paulina, does not know the identity of her tormentor (Polanski, 1994). The implication is that while on the streets, she is forced to live with the fear that the perpetrator may be the next person, which turns out to be the case when doctor Miranda turns up in her house. [...]
[...] USA: Fine Line Features. Feitlowitz, M. (2011). A lexicon of terror (Rev. & updated, with a new epilogue. ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press. [...]
[...] This initial support led to the establishment of a strong government (Feitlowitz, 2011). Therefore, the people felt guilt in later years because they were responsible for creating the dictatorship. The concept of ‘citizens', and its role in persecution of minorities considered outsiders to this group also played a significant role in inflaming the concept of guilt. Uniting the majority This feature of dictatorships perhaps leads to the greatest violations of human rights. In NAZI Germany, the German people were united by the injustices of the treaty of Versailles. [...]
[...] In places where the difference between the minority and the majority is small, one-sided rule often results in conflicts, the case of the genocide in Rwanda, where the Hutu and the Tutsi clashed because of the tendency of the ruler to favor the Hutu majority is an excellent example. In conclusion, dictatorships thrive because they are able to manipulate the citizens of the country affected. For example, all the above techniques used to strengthen the governments hold on power in Argentina show how the government violated human rights on its plight to create a state of total submission. References Polanski, R. (Director). (1994). Death and the maiden [Motion picture]. [...]
[...] This principle demonstrates the need for inspiration of trust. Create an impression of the outside world against Argentina In the 1978 world cup, Argentina was united in creating an impression all was well within (Feitlowitz, 2011). This fascist gesture emanated from the feeling that the external world was against Argentines and thus inspired them to show strength. For example, the political leadership demonstrated the outside world as having a superior mentality and thus inspired the local people to show unity at face value (Feitlowitz, 2011). [...]
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