First published 2023
Global politics demands a psychological revolution. Robert Samuels argues that psychoanalytic theory holds the key to solving worldwide crises. Nations and nationalism create barriers to progress, he contends. People cling to idealized views of their countries while global problems require global solutions. Fear of worldwide governance stems from misreading history and psychology. Samuels identifies a victim mentality that distorts how societies view their place in the world. Humans repress evidence of real advancement, leading to pessimistic outlooks about the present and future. The author traces remarkable human progress over two centuries while acknowledging genuine threats. Moving past national boundaries and victim narratives becomes essential for addressing climate change, poverty, and conflict. Samuels offers a framework for understanding why political cooperation fails and how psychological insights can reshape international relations.
Genres: psychology, political-science, psychoanalysis, academic
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: psychological-insights, victim-mentality
Period: 21st-Century
120 pages · Hardcover · Palgrave Macmillan