# Phaeton complex

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{{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](/source/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](/source/Micha_Popper), ''Hypnotic Leadership: Leaders, Followers, and the Loss of Self'', Praeger, 2001, p.25</ref>

The theory was devised by [Lucille Iremonger](/source/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](/source/Micha_Popper), though, disputes that an unhappy childhood always leads to obsessive urges, citing [Winston Churchill](/source/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](/source/Phaethon), 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](/source/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](/source/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](/source/Tom_McTague) lists [Boris Johnson](/source/Boris_Johnson), [Theresa May](/source/Theresa_May), [Bill Clinton](/source/Bill_Clinton) and [Tony Blair](/source/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)](/source/Complex_(psychology)) 
*[Ideocracy](/source/Ideocracy)
*[Napoleon complex](/source/Napoleon_complex)

==References==
<references />

Category:Complex (psychology)
Category:Power (social and political) theories
Category:Mental health
Category:Narcissism

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Phaeton complex](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phaeton_complex) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phaeton_complex?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.