1st Edition

The Psychology of Socialism

By Gustave Le Bon Copyright 1982
    466 Pages
    by Routledge

    466 Pages
    by Routledge

    First published in 1899 during a period of crisis for French democracy, The Psychology of Socialism details Le Bon's view of socialism and radicalism primarily as religious movements. The emotionalism and hysteria of the period—especially as manifested during the Dreyfuss Affair—convinced Le Bon that most political controversy is based neither on reasoned deliberation nor rational interest, but on a psychology that partakes of contatgion andhysteria. Le Bon points to the irrationality of religion and uses the religiosity of socialism to debunk socialism as an irrational movement based on hatred and jealousy.

    Introduction to the Transaction Edition, Preface to the Third Edition, PREFACE, BOOK I THE SOCIALISTIC THEORIES AND THEIR DISCIPLES, BOOK II SOCIALISM AS A BELIEF, BOOK III SOCIALISM AS AFFECTED BY RACE, BOOK IV THE CONFLICT BETWEEN ECONOMIC NECESSITIES AND THE ASPIRATIONS OF THE SOCIALISTS, BOOK V THE CONFLICT BETWEEN THE LAWS OF EVOLUTION, THE DEMOCRATIC IDEAL, AND THE ASPIRATIONS OF THE SOCIALISTS, BOOK VI THE DESTINIES OF SOCIALISM

    Biography

    Gustave Le Bon