ABSTRACT
The psychology of the sudden ideological transmogrification has deep sociological roots inherent in the victimization process. Without the work of the intellectuals, the moral alchemy where good turns to evil would not have been possible. In the psychology of radical evil the leader’s role is indispensable. The radical evil doer always considers himself an ideologist who acts purely for ideal ends, those prescribed by his ideology. The perpetrators of radical evil might have imagined themselves to be acting for ideal reasons alone, but actually they were also impelled by all kinds of other considerations that have little to do with ideology. Radical evil, at its simplest, is the most modern and up-to-date exemplification of the age-old victimization process utilized by great leaders to establish their supreme powers. In Max Weber’s sociology such leaders are charismatic authorities who have a peculiarly intimate relation with their followers, the true believers of the Gospel preached by the movement.
