Charles Konia, M.D.

Neither Left Nor Right by Charles Konia, M.D.
To be published in 2010

Ever since humans have had to take responsibility for governing themselves, they have shown that they have been unable to do so successfully. Every good social idea and rational social endeavor has, sooner or later, backfired and made conditions worse than they originally were. Think of the Communist revolutions of the 20th century, the revolution in Iran, Wilsonʼs dream of a League of Nations, or Rooseveltʼs idea of the United Nations.

Peopleʼs attempts to govern themselves naturally lead to looking for political solutions. However, it soon becomes apparent that politics bogs down into a battle between two divergent outlooks, the political views of the Left and Right. Yet no one has ever asked what is the origin of peopleʼs different views of the same social situation, and why does every social issue end up in a conflict between the opposing forces of the Left and the Right.

Neither Left Nor Right shows that the problem has to do with the way people look for solutions. They seek outside of themselves, never looking inward. This book shows that the source of humanityʼs social problems in America originates not primarily from the external political forces impinging on people, but from forces within their own biological structure. This is the reason that political solutions always have, and always will, fail.

For genuine social improvement to occur, there must be fundamental biological changes in peopleʼs structure.

The Emotional Plague by Charles Konia, M.D.

Table of Contents

Read the Forward

Read the Preface

In this far-reaching, extensively researched, scholarly work, psychiatrist Charles Konia, M.D. makes the first comprehensive exploration and development of the concepts first published in Reich’s 1933 The Mass Psychology of Fascism.

Dr. Konia’s groundbreaking, highly original book examines and explores from a unique, non-psychological perspective the pathology in human nature that has not only given us the likes of Hitler, Stalin, Pol Pot and Saddam Hussein, but also explains how brutalizing despicable acts have been perpetrated upon children and adults over the centuries right through to the present. Everyday examples of emotional plague behavior include not only obvious torture, murder and social mayhem, but also the father who humiliates his happy, hardworking son, the so-called “friend” who spreads vicious gossip, the teacher who constantly “puts down” students, the small-minded who engage in acts of discrimination.

This book will open your eyes to why every “great” social program failed in its original mission; why America is increasingly hated throughout the world; why the resolution of every important social problem becomes hopelessly mired in a conflict between the political left and right; why a handful of despotic leaders have been able to enslave millions of people; and why standards of decency and excellence continue to decline.

Made accessible through examples of social case studies, Dr. Konia’s book shows ways to contain this pestilence and explores ways to undercut and diminish this hidden-in-plain-sight, pervasive and increasingly destructive force in human society.

News & Reviews

Zell Miller
“Today’s world is confronted with dangers and evil that knows no national boundary and has no rational explanation. From random school shootings to Islamic fascism, we face a decline in our society that dwarfs anything previous generations have experienced. Dr. Charles Konia in his masterful work, THE EMOTIONAL PLAGUE explores how these dangers have evolved over time and offers an insight of unparalleled expertise in examining and explaining the mind of such individuals. I am pleased to see how he shows that today’s so-called liberals (or as he calls them pseudo-liberals) have betrayed liberal thought and principles. This is a book that anyone involved in government, law enforcement, or parenting should read, learn from and act upon.”

Hillel I. Swiller, M.D
“Charles Konia is the finest contemporary expositor of the work of Wilhelm Reich. This is an extremely valuable contribution to sadly neglected areas of psychology and political science.”

Mark Furhman
THE EMOTIONAL PLAGUE by Dr. Charles Konia is a book that law enforcement officers and prosecutors should welcome. It examines the causes of root evil and the senseless actions that law enforcement encounters daily. Written by a psychiatrist it is hard hitting and has none of the leftist agenda we see put out by others in Dr. Konia’s field. Rather, Dr. Konia addresses the issues and doesn’t attempt to blame society or law enforcement for the evil that is committed. He has a firm understanding of evil and this book is timely and welcome.”

Patricia Heaton
THE EMOTIONAL PLAGUE is a must read book for any American concerned with the decline of our politics and social fabric. The author looks at and identifies the causes of our social decline as a country and how it should be addressed. Any American should read this book and ponder its message before voting.

Kelsey Grammer
The Emotional Plague is a strongly written and penetrating look at modern evil in today’s world. From understanding ‘the emotional plague’ and its symptoms, society can go a long way in preventing the untold violence that has become so common in today’s society. Additionally in this book, the author masterfully demonstrates that what we see as politically correct thought is in actuality evil masquerading as thought police that endangers all free people. While my friends in Hollywood may not agree with its conclusions, I would urge them and all Americans to read and reread this book.

Copley News Service
THE EMOTIONAL PLAGUE (ACO Press, 2008) is timely coming upon the heels of the recent election in which the mental stability, the charisma, and policy goals of both candidates were challenged. Based upon the campaign rhetoric, Barack Obama could be giving pseudo liberals a threshold in the seat of power once occupied by Lincoln, Truman, and Reagan. If Dr. Konia’s description of a pseudo-liberal is Barack Obama, watch America. What is amazing about this book is it was written before the rise of Obama and could in the way it is written describe Hillary Clinton or a host of today’s politicians. This book is an in-depth look beyond politics to how the human mind and its capacity for evil works.

Armchair Reviews
THE EMOTIONAL PLAGUE is a must read book. Dr. Charles Konia delves into a question that haunts us daily, what is the root of true evil in the world and what causes it. In a well written and documented style, Dr. Konia details evil and how it develops and shows its effects on society and how evil has misguided the well meaning. This book rates 5 stars.

Book List
Dr. Charles Konia in his work, THE EMOTIONAL PLAGUE seeks to answer why the standards of decency and excellence have declined in today’s society. In a well-researched and passionately written prose, Konia answers the question in his 464 page work. Readers who have a different mindset from Dr. Konia may see red from his explanations while conservatives are sure to applaud his work. Regardless of one’s political leanings, THE EMOTIONAL PLAGUE leaves one with much to consider and re-evaluate. This work stands out on its merit and is highly recommended.

Midwest Book Review
At first glance, THE EMOTIONAL PLAGUE appears to be a daunting read and not written to a mass audience. However, upon delving into this work by Dr. Charles Konia, one becomes fascinated with his marshalling of ideas to provide answers for some of the daunting problems that have faced and are facing American society. From political conflict to senseless random violence, Konia explores the ‘emotional plague’ that can reside in humans. Sharply written, Dr. Konia is not afraid to assign blame but unlike many authors, he provides solutions as well.

Kirkus Reviews
When asked what is the number one disease confronting humanity, answers would vary but certainly nobody would select the emotional plague. But in Dr. Charles Konia’s THE EMOTIONAL PLAGUE (ACO Press, 2008), the emotional plague is identified as the most dangerous contagious disease ravaging humanity. According to Konia, the emotional plague as he defines it is the root of modern evil in the world. Whether one is skeptical of Konia’s writing, the book is well researched and nearly impossible to refute. The book is timely in today’s heated and polarized political climate and should be a must read for anyone in a leadership position.

Air Beat Magazine (November/December)
If one wants to get inside the mind of a criminal, THE EMOTIONAL PLAGUE (ACO Press, 2008) is a must read. Hideous crimes don’t just happen. They are a part of a certain psychology and personality trait. In this carefully researched and documented book, Dr. Charles Konia puts a name on this – the emotional plague. Understanding and combating the emotional plague will make the job of law enforcement easier.

From Publishers Weekly
Psychiatrist Konia has been a practicing Reichian therapist for over 40 years. Taking his title from a term coined by Wilhelm Reich, Konia argues that in the current “emotional plague” there is a mass “displacement of intra-psychic conflicts of armored people onto the social and political sphere.” To put it another way, Konia believes that what Freud saw as normal human defenses are, in the 21st century, growing out of control. It is happening because of the dominance of an overly mechanistic view of human life, where the function of human life is reduced to its bodily mechanics, and all individuals are seen as interchangeably made to serve the same meaningless ends. One result, Konia argues, is a reactionary mysticism, one that, he says, feeds everything from alternative medicine to jihadist Islamism. In chapters including “Freedom, Responsibility and Sociopolitical Ideology” and “Democracy in Armored Society: Formal Democracy versus Work Democracy,” Konia shows the macro effects of “armored society”-a humanity splintered into groups in conflict-in detail. By way of a solution, Konia argues for a recognition of a “biological core” than unites humanity in need, and in differences. While Konia’s discussion can get fairly technical, it is passionate and engaged throughout.

Blue Line Magazine (December issue)
THE EMOTIONAL PLAGUE (ACO Press, 2008) is a book that anyone in the frontlines of law enforcement should read. It identifies and examines the psychology of those who are responsible for the crimes that baffle and sicken law enforcement officers daily. It is a book that if fully embraced and understood will help in crime prevention and swifter solutions to existing cases. Dr. Charles Konia is to be applauded for recognizing what law enforcement sees daily – there is a sickness in humans that must be stopped or the consequences are unimaginable.

Heartland Book Review (October edition)
THE EMOTIONAL PLAGUE (ACO, 2008) is the result of years of research by its author, Dr. Charles Konia. The author answers the question of what evil plagues mankind that causes the senseless destruction we witness daily on the news and has plagued mankind since civilization began. Drawing on research and his own professional experience, Konia answers the question and poses a solution. The book is a must read and deserves 4 ½ hearts out of 5.

American Cop (November/December issue)
THE EMOTIONAL PLAGUE (ACO Press, 2008) addresses the questions that everyone in law enforcement has always asked at the scene of a crime – How could anyone do this? How could anyone be this evil? What causes such banality? Author Dr. Charles Konia hits it out of the ballpark with this book answering the questions. This book is a must read for everyone in law enforcement and should be mandatory reading at police stations and courts throughout the country.

San Diego Union Tribune
THE EMOTIONAL PLAGUE by Dr. Charles Konia addresses the ills of liberal thought and traces its failure throughout history. Without naming names, anyone reading this masterful work can see who in today’s political arena suffers from the emotional plague. Konia’s work is expertly researched and documented. The only drawback this reviewer saw was the book was, at points, too scholarly for today’s average reader. It should however be required reading in today’s universities (although many of the professors themselves suffering from the emotional plague might not want their students to have the book).

Scripps Howard News Service
THE EMOTIONAL PLAGUE (ACO Press, 2008) attempts to examine and diagnosis the ills in today’s society. The book is crafted to a certain mindset and many students of history might disagree with the author’s analysis of Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, and even Franklin Roosevelt. The book is recommended.

American Police Beat
THE EMOTIONAL PLAGUE is a must read for anyone in law enforcement. The book analyzes the evil that people in law enforcement deal with daily. Reading this book will help us have a better understanding of what we face daily in our job.

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