Crowds and Power

About “Crowds and Power”

Crowds and Power is a 1960 book by Elias Canetti that explores the behavior of crowds and "packs" and how they submit to the power of rulers. Canetti examines the psychological mechanisms that lead individuals to follow authority. He draws a comparison between ruling and paranoia, suggesting that power often relies on the fear and control of the masses. The book includes an analysis of Daniel Paul Schreber's memoirs and Sigmund Freud's work on them, as well as references to Gustave Le Bon's theories on crowd behavior. Canetti's work investigates the dynamics of group behavior and the role of authority in shaping collective action. (Summary adapted from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.)