Should the Struggle Against Authoritarian Regimes Be Based on Aristotle’s or Freud’s Psychology, or Rather on Neuroscience?

Abstract

The prevailing global social and geopolitical situation is perceived as unfavorable by most people. According to the authors, many worrying threats are linked to the mental state of the planet's inhabitants. Thus, they believe that the emergence of authoritarian regimes, the constant instigation of wars, and the poor living conditions in many communities require explanations grounded in accurate psychological concepts. The authors refer to their previous work that connects authoritarian regimes with conservative personality traits, particularly those found in far-right, populist groups. These regimes often promote a patriarchal social structure and rely on religious taboos to maintain control. The authors expand on this theory by exploring Sigmund Freud's concepts of "totem" and "taboo," examining how these ideas might explain the behavior of authoritarian regimes. They also refer to Carl Jung's theory of the Shadow and the collective sense of inferiority. The article concludes with suggestions on how to counter the spread of authoritarian regimes. The authors advocate for a balanced approach that focuses on finding ways to coexist with authoritarian individuals. They draw parallels between the different neurophysiological functions of the brain's two hemispheres and the potential coexistence of multiple geopolitical blocs. The authors reflect on a country that recently shifted from far-right, populist, national governance back to a liberal democratic pattern. They also propose a tool to record personal civic feelings, which can help assess whether a particular region is moving toward or away from autocratic governance.