Articles to discuss

Suggestions for a Psychoanalysis of Europe's Shift to the Right

By Andreas Peglau

The results of the European elections of May 2014 have urgently called into question the origins of "rightwing" movements and ideologies. The developments underscore once again that fascistic groups have become socially acceptable on our continent. Many studies of extremist viewpoints held by people in the political center have yielded ominous results for years. The work of psychoanalysts and social scientists Erich Fromm (1900-1980) and Wilhelm Reich (1897-1957) provide us with explanations that go beyond the usually cited factors, and should therefore be included in current discussions.