Totalitarianism: What is it? Part 1/2 (P. Breggin/M. Desmet - controversy)
- Ariane Bilheran
- Oct 17, 2022
- 7 min read
Updated: Jul 17
An interview with Ariane Biheran, PhD in clinical psychology & psychopathology
The first part of our interview discusses totalitarianism and the psychological mechanisms it relies upon. The second part delves further and looks at the Mathias Desmet / Peter Breggin controversy.
To understand the concept of totalitarianism, which is increasingly being discussed following the COVID-19 crisis and the various coercive measures that have been put in place, the logical step is to call on a real expert in the field.
It is therefore quite naturally that we asked Ariane Biheran, who is a doctor in clinical psychology and psychopathology, a graduate in moral & political philosophy as well as in classical litterature, a former university lecturer and the author of some 30 books and dozens of articles, to answer our questions.
The interview, which was conducted in French, and in writing, is in two parts. The first part focuses on the very concept of totalitarianism. What exactly is it about? What are the bases of this concept? Who are the main authors? What are the psychological and other mechanisms that it relies upon?
In the second part, to be published soon, we look at a controversy that has recently emerged with the rise of Belgian psychologist Mathias Desmet and his theory of "mass formation". This theory is much criticized by the American psychiatrist Peter Breggin, who rather sees us as the "prey" of excessively influential individuals who aim at controlling the future of the world.
In this interview, Ariane Biheran helps us to see more clearly in this controversy between Mathias Desmet and Peter Breggin. She also tells us about "delusional contagion", sectarian methods, the roles of harassment, guilt and fear, this to help us understand the mechanisms at stake for the manipulation of the masses that we are subject to.
Finally, she comments on our "human nature": Have we really changed over the centuries from the point of view of human psychology?
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