{{Short description|Psychological condition}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}}
{{original research|date=February 2020}}
The '''Phaeton complex''' is a psychological condition described by Maryse Choisy as a "painful combination of thoughts and emotions caused by the absence, loss, coldness, or traumatizing behavior of one or both parents, resulting in frustration and aggression".<ref> Micha Popper, ''Hypnotic Leadership: Leaders, Followers, and the Loss of Self'', Praeger, 2001, p.25</ref>
The theory was devised by Lucille Iremonger, who in 1970 studied the 24 British prime ministers who held office from 1809 to 1940, and found that 62% of these men had lost one or both parents by age 15, compared to a national average of 10-15% in those times.<ref> Mostafa Rejai and Kay Phillips, ''Leaders and Leadership: an Appraisal of Theory and Research'', Praeger, 1997, p. 46</ref> Hugh Berrington expanded on the theory in 1974, finding sufferers of the Phaeton complex to be less sociable, flexible or tolerant, instead being ambitious, vain, sensitive, lonely and shy.<ref> Hugh Berrington, ''The Fiery Chariot'', British Journal of Political Science, 4:345-369</ref> Micha Popper, though, disputes that an unhappy childhood always leads to obsessive urges, citing Winston Churchill as an example where childhood unhappiness had positive results.<ref> Micha Popper, ''Hypnotic Leadership'', Praeger 2001, p.26</ref> The name derives from the Greek myth of Phaeton, a child of the sun god, who demands to drive his father's chariot and in doing so, falls to earth and scorches the Sahara Desert.<ref> Tom McTague, ''Boris Johnson meets his Destiny'', The Atlantic, 22 July 2019</ref>
==Examples==
Neville Chamberlain, UK prime minister 1937–40, having lost his mother by age six, is said to have displayed 'all the characteristics of the damaged Phaeton - immature, sensitive, cold, secretive and depressed' when in office, according to Harry Davis.<ref> Harry Davis, ''The Palace of Crystal'', Arena Books, 1988, p. 124</ref>
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto is described by Shamim Ahmad as a neglected child, 'having a sense of insecurity that drove him to prove himself worthy'.<ref> Ammar Ali Qureshi, ''Non-fiction: the complex Mr Bhutto'', (review of ''Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, the Psychodynamics of his Rise and Fall'', book by Shamim Ahmad), Dawn, 12 May 2019</ref>
In a discussion of the Phaeton complex, Tom McTague lists Boris Johnson, Theresa May, Bill Clinton and Tony Blair as examples of ambitious, isolated, detached politicians who suffered a 'deprivation of love' in childhood.<ref> Tom McTague, ''Boris Johnson meets his destiny'', The Atlantic, 22 July 2019</ref>
==See also==
*Complex (psychology) *Ideocracy *Napoleon complex
==References== <references />
Category:Complex (psychology) Category:Power (social and political) theories Category:Mental health Category:Narcissism