Not the Usual Suspects: Beyond the Batterer: Abusive Power in Politics

Author, Pamela Jayne illustrates how abusers, whom she calls the usual suspects, and their more worldly couterparts, leaders in political culture, misuse their power to get what they want. A domestic violence expert, Jayne explains that the tactics of domestic abusers are all in pursuit of getting more power; the consequences they produce are dire. But other, more powerful people, our purported influencers and leaders, the unusual suspects, use similar tactics and produce similarly awful and widespread consequences. Fortunately, Jayne is experienced in spotting potential abusers; she shares with the reader how to avoid being fooled by an abuser, masquerading as someone altogether innocent. Likewise, she argues that society needs, but clearly lacks, a similar assessment mechanism on a national scale. When the 'wrong' people assume power or gain a wide audience, as they apparently have, all kinds of havoc results and the really bad consequences, yet unseen, will be all but impossible to avoid. To that end she reviews the abuser's beliefs, motivations and effects and outlines major warning signs that we are about to get involved with someone who is guided by abusive power. If it's too late, and as a society we've already gotten ourselves ensnared, she explores how we can get out with the least amount of damage. Jayne believes that just as an abuser renders a home, a place of supposed security, so unsafe that people cannot live there, it is possible that one day none of us will be safe either. When an abusive mindset is in charge, everyone is a at risk. Exposing that abusive mindset, identifying those who carry it, examining its consequences, and considering how we can empower ourselves to fight against it, is job one. The book will appeal to anybody concerned with the state of abusive political leadership today, as well as to people who work in, have experience with, or want to know more about domestic violence, especially how all abusers, get, misuse, maintain and ultimately lose their power.