Issue 3/4 Vol. 34 1992

War gain

ESAPOVIC-GRES, N.

War gain is the secondary gain in war. The secondary gain is an unconscious tendency towards gratification from the environment, on the basis of a symptom or a position.

Secondary gain was initiated in the former Yugoslavia, where a participant in World War II or a member of the ruling class could achieve gain without control, while his work and personal qualities were of secondary importance. Such practice of secondary gain helped a great deal to the desintegration of Yugoslavia. Having in mind the negative influence of secondary gain, war merits in Croatia will be directed in a more appropiate way.

War gain is also bound to the problem of refugees and displaced persons. The regression of the persons who had to leave their homes delays their return because of protection, which is one form of gratification, enjoyed by them as exiled persons. The donator of the help to displaced persons also expects secondary gain as a person who "sacrificed" himself for the recipient of help, and consequently has a right for aggression, having a dominant position in the relation to a displaced person.

Professional help, besides scientific processing of data on soldiers, the wounded, refugees and civilians, could also become secondary gain, when such help and work become the primary aim. We have also often noticed competition which harms this activity and diminishes its ethical component.

Keywords: war gain, war, refugees, displaced persons

Short Title: Esapovic-gres, N. (1992) PsyBeit 3-4:373

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