In The Absolute Power Complex from Constantine to Stalin: The Collective Unconscious of Catholic and Orthodox Countries Mino Vianello advances a new hermeneutical paradigm in analyzing why liberal-democratic institutions and ways of life do not flourish in Catholic and Orthodox countries.

Vianello maintains that the breaking point is not the Reform, as Weber stated in the wake of de Tocqueville, but the events of the fourth century, with the Nicene Council, convoked by Constantine for the purely political purpose of giving a psychological cement to the crumbling empire, and Theodosius the Great’s decision to proclaim the Trinitarian Doctrine State Religion. These events left an indelible mark in the collective unconscious of the peoples who happened to fall into this mesh studded with neo-platonic philosophical categories and legal concepts derived from Roman Law. This book demonstrates the inception and effects of the Absolute Power Complex by linking the theological-political construction of the Church to later absolute regimes and twentieth century dictatorships. This distinguishes these countries from those Christianized by Arius’ followers, which eleven centuries later became Protestant. Vianello traces the wavering succession of philosophical and theological doctrines which have shaken Christianity, leading to a combination of politics and theology unknown to early Christians and the Evangelical Message. This is the first time that Jung’s concept of the Collective Unconscious has been historically explored in terms of political and social consequences in such an innovative and interdisciplinary way.

Although Vianello explores historical themes, this book will be a fascinating resource for analytical psychologists and other professionals informed by Jung’s ideas. It will also appeal to academics and students of the history of ideas, political theory, sociology, hermeneutics, cultural studies and other professionals interested in contemporary events.