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Megalomania is a psychiatric condition characterised by an obsession with power and wealth, and a passion for grand schemes and big projects. People with the condition may be found in all walks of life. However, whenever a person with this mental illness rises to a position of political power, the results may be disastrous for the people of a country.
Experts say that megalomaniacs have certain recognised traits, these traits include exaggerated symptoms of narcissistic personality disorder such as:
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A grandiose sense of self-importance
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Preoccupation with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love
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Believing that they are “special” and unique and can only be understood by, or should associate with, other special or high-status people (or institutions)
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Requiring excessive admiration
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A sense of entitlement (unreasonable expectations of especially favorable treatment or automatic compliance with their expectations)
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Being interpersonally exploitative (taking advantage of others to achieve their own ends)
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Lacking empathy (unwilling to recognise or identify with the feelings and needs of others)
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Often being envious of others or believing that others are envious of them
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Showing arrogant, haughty behaviors or attitudes.
Evidently, a person with such a mental health issue could cause considerable harm if he or she occupies a powerful position.
Although psychiatrists – who are medical doctors – are bound by a medical code of ethics that prevent them from making medical diagnoses of people whom they have not personally examined, the average person has no such constraint. Ordinary people are quite free to draw their own conclusions.
The average Guyanese is free to worry about the fact we have a Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo, who is apparently obsessed with grand schemes and expensive projects. And, take note, that is the Guyanese taxpayers who are paying for the big, expensive projects.
One recalls the US$200 million sugar factory – Guyana’s biggest project at that time. Currently, the roof of the factory has collapsed and the facility is in a state of disrepair. However, Guyanese are still paying the bill for that disaster.
Remember Amila and Fip Motilall?
And now, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo proposes a much grander project. The grandest project in the history of Guyana. This time, Jagdeo’s People’s Progressive Party (PPP) regime plans to spend US$2.3 billion (with a “b”) on an energy to shore project for which no studies have been done, and about which economists have expressed serious concerns, because the scheme is shrouded in secrecy.
Ordinary Guyanese who read about mental illnesses such as megalomania, and who observe the behavior of some politically powerful people may or may not have cause to wonder. (Guest editorial)
