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Social Systems and the Criteria of Health as Defined by the World Health Organization

Published Online:https://doi.org/10.1176/ajp.130.2.125

The main reason for the great discrepancy between the realization of the medical and the social criteria of health as defined by the WHO charter is the disproportion between the knowledge of technical sciences and of human nature. This is relevant to various social systems. There are in addition specific reasons for the discrepancies existing in Communist countries; such reasons include the practical difficulties inherent in creating a new human consciousness in a revolutionary way, a sharpening of the aggressive instincts by acceptance of the dogma of the class struggle, lack of an adequate communication system between the party and the population, and the instability of the value system, leading to a feeling of insecurity. Scientists of various disciplines represent the most productive social forces in society; they should play an important role in designing a unitary system of self-government for mankind.

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