The Psychology of Totalitarianism

In The Psychology of Totalitarianism, Professor Mattias Desmet explores the societal conditions that enable the rise of totalitarianism, tracing its roots through history from the Jacobins to modern regimes. He examines the impact of collective psychosis, particularly through the lens of "mass formation," and highlights how loneliness, fear, and censorship can manipulate public consciousness. Desmet warns of the dangers of groupthink and the mechanisms that governments and media use to undermine individual freedoms, illustrating the precarious position of society in the face of growing authoritarianism.