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The Crowd: A Study of the Popular Mind

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_The Crowd: A Study of the Popular Mind_ by French social theorist Gustave LeBon is a short treatise on the principles of large gatherings of people. As the disclaimer on the title page notes, the ideas in LeBon's book were popular at the time of the late 19th century but are no longer in vogue today. The reasons for this are obvious, as LeBon unpretentiously puts to fault all the rhetoric about "democracy," "equality," "fraternity," and "equality" as being mere catchphrases that self-serving demagouges use to control the spirit of the masses. He cites the French Revoloution and the demands of Socialism and Communism during his time. LeBon outlines the way crowds tend to think (in vivid images illogically connected), how they reason (they don't for all practical purposes), how they express exaggerated emotion, how they are very quick to take action without coherent thought and of the general extreme-conservativism and intolerance of crowds. The individual who becomes part of a crowd tends to loose himself, and feels invincible as he is aware of the similarity of mind and purpose of all those surrounding him. LeBon notes how individuals become unthinking entities of the Herd, and can be unconsciously made to do acts, which can either be of great criminality or heroism. The reasoning of the solitary individual is superior to that of a crowd which has no individuality. All are "equal" in a crowd where, for instance, a mathemetician is caught up in the same spirit as a laborer and class and intelligece differences fall to the lowest common denominator. One advangage of crowds is that they can express the spirit of a class, caste, or race of a people better than the individual can, and that crowds are capable of great deeds such as victory in a war or the spread of a religion that would be beyond simply one person's effort. The back title of _The Crowd_ mentions that Hitler, Mussolini in addition to Freud were familiar with LeBon's work, and it is readily apparent that their followers acted very similar to the behavior that LeBon describes. The basic point of _The Crowd_ is this: For Bettor or Worse, Never Underestimate the Power of Stupid People in Large Groups.

I think the reviewer Derek Pillion summed up this book rather well. But I want to relate something that came into my mind after reading the following passage from chapter III:

"A hundred petty crimes or petty accidents will not strike the imagination of crowds in the least, whereas a single great crime or a single great accident will profoundly impress them, even though the results be infinitely less disastrous than those of the hundred small accidents put together.

The epidemic of influenza, which caused the death but a few years ago of five thousand persons in Paris alone, made very little impression on the popular imagination. The reason was that this veritable hecatomb was not embodied in any visible image, but was only learnt from statistical information furnished weekly.

An accident which should have caused the death of only five hundred instead of five thousand persons, but on the same day and in public, as the outcome of an accident appealing stronly to the eye, by the fall for instance of the Eiffel Tower [sic], would have produced, on the contrary, an immense impression on the imagination of the crowd.

... To know the art of impressing the imagination of crowds is to know at the same time the art of governing them."

What came into my mind after reading that passage? Airplanes and collapsing towers. This book is a must read for any thinking person.

This is a short book whose pages have a far greater impact than the title might suggest. As many reviewers have already noted, the book simply explains the mechanisms that guide the popualr imagination and outlines the simple principles that enable the few who grasp them to hold control over vast populations. What struck me particulalry was how the recipes for power suggested by Gustave Le Bon are reflected in contemporary neo-liberal economic and socio-cultural agendas. Those who are involved in developing education policies will find the book especially useful. Writing over a century ago,Le Bon criticized the liberal education system and advocated the more common sense practical type of learning that neo-liberal agendas have been pushing for since the late 70's. It also makes a strong case for the impact of simple messages over crowds. Common sense arguments, logic and thoughtful concerns, LE Bon argues, are lost on the masses. Indeed, it is widely believed that this was one of Benito Mussolini's favorite books. We are living ever more in an era of simplistic thinking. By reading this book you will understand how this has occurred and how demagogues rise to power. As with another reviewer, I also stay away from crowds. This book unraveled the unconscious instincts that always make me avoid crowds and anything that is too popular.

As I write this, the President's people are using public opinion polls to find out whether it would better serve his political ends to confess or to continue his denials in the Lewsinky affair. Eerily, this and more was predicted and explained in detail in 1895 (!) by the author of The Crowd.

If you want to understand the political scene today--the decline of statesmanship, the rise of spin-meistership, the mindless polling, the pandering to the electorate, the throw-it-against-the-wall-and-see-if-it-sticks lowest common denominator pragmatisim of our political leaders--read this book!

Some reviewers here have had disparaging remarks about Le Bon's "The Crowd" but I found it very satisfying. Sure, there are some sweeping generalizations, but don't let that stop you. I first came upon the title while researching the reasons behind Hitler's triumph over the German people. During the research, I learned that "The Crowd" had a significant influence on Hitler and he used many of Le Bon's models for his own efforts to persuade. Considering that "The Crowd" was written in the late 1800's, this book is amazing.

_The Crowd: A Study of the Popular Mind_ is an English translation of the classic work on crowd psychology of French theorist and social scientist Gustave le Bon first published in 1895. Gustave le Bon (1841 - 1931) was a French social theorist whose works played a prominent part in the understanding of nationality, racialism, herd behavior, and crowd psychology. Le Bon writes from the perspective of a rationalist and a skeptic (though he is also skeptical of the uses to which "reason" is put by crowds, such as occurred during the French revolution) and examines crowd psychology from a scientific perspective. Le Bon's understanding of crowd psychology reveals the irrationalism of crowds and the inadequacies of the democratic process. This work in particular played a prominent role in the formation of such psychoanalytic theorists of the unconscious as Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung as well as in the leadership principle and crowd control of such figures as Benito Mussolini. As such, le Bon's work offers an important social, psychological, and political understanding of the processes that operate within crowds.

In his Preface, Le Bon lays out his understanding of the role of crowds, particularly as concerns the "present age" (his own time period). Le Bon explains the manner in which the unconscious activity of crowds has replaced the conscious activity of the individual. Le Bon also shows how he belongs to no particular school and thus claims that he is free from the biases of all such schools. Further, le Bon contends that the spirit of reform has guided crowds and that the era of crowds has replaced the divine right of kings. Following this, le Bon turns to "The Era of Crowds" in his Introduction. Le Bon explains how crowds have come to take a prominent place within national thought and that the modern age has become an era of crowds. Le Bon further offers that an understanding of crowds is essential for legislators and statesmen. The first "Book" of this book is entitled "The Mind of Crowds". Le Bon begins by considering the general characteristics of crowds. Le Bon defines the crowd in terms of psychology and distinguishes his definition from that of the commonplace understanding of the crowd. Le Bon further explains the "psychological law of the mental unity of crowds". Le Bon contends that in a crowd brain activity is reduced and there is a prominence of medullar activity, meaning that crowds act largely unconsciously. Following this, le Bon turns to the sentiments and morality of crowds. Le Bon contends that there is an impulsiveness, mobility, and irritability of crowds. Le Bon also contends that there are racial differences among crowds. Further, le Bon argues that crowds are credulous and readily influenced by suggestion. Le Bon also contends that crowds do not admit doubt or uncertainty and always head towards extremes. Further, le Bon contends that there is an intolerance, dictatorialness, and conservativism of crowds. In addition, le Bon contends that while crowds may act in accordance with a lower morality than that of the individual, it is also possible for crowds to have a higher morality than the individual and thus be prone to heroics. Following this, le Bon turns his attention to the ideas, reasoning power, and imagination of crowds. Le Bon contends that lofty ideas must be dumbed down before they can appeal to crowds. Le Bon further argues that crowds cannot be substantially influenced by reasoning and that their level of reasoning is entirely inferior to that of the individual. Finally, le Bon contends that crowds are prone to the imagination and they think in images, and that further the marvelous has always had some influence on crowds which is frequently linked to statesmen. Following this, le Bon turns his attention to the religious shape assumed by all the convictions of crowds. Le Bon argues that popular gods have never completely disappeared and that even atheism may take on a religious shape under the influence of crowds. Le Bon considers the religious shape of such historical occurrences as the Reformation, Saint Bartholomew, and the Terror following the French Revolution. Le Bon also considers the religious role of such great religions as Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism. The second "Book" of this book is entitled "The Opinions and Beliefs of Crowds". Here, le Bon begins by considering remote factors of the opinions and beliefs of crowds. Le Bon considers such factors as race, traditions, time, political and social institutions, and political and social institutions as they relate to instruction and education regarding the opinions and beliefs of crowds. Following this, le Bon turns his attention to the immediate factors of the opinions and beliefs of crowds. Le Bon considers such factors as images, words, and formulae, illusions, experience, and reason. Next, le Bon considers the leaders of crowds and their means of persuasion. Le Bon begins by arguing that there is an instinctive need of all crowds to obey a leader. Le Bon also considers various characteristics of such leaders. Further, le Bon considers the means of action of the leaders, which he classifies as affirmation, repetition, and contagion. Together these principles explain the actions of crowds under a leader. In addition, le Bon considers the prestige of a leader, arguing that a leader must possess a certain prestige. Le Bon defines prestige and argues that there are different kinds of prestige including acquired prestige and personal prestige, as well as showing how prestige is lost. Following this, le Bon considers limitations of the variability of the beliefs and opinions of crowds. Le Bon considers fixed beliefs of crowds, noting how they have formed, as well as the possibility of changeability of beliefs of crowds, arguing that beliefs of crowds have become more and more in flux and that further the beliefs of crowds tend towards indifference. The third "Book" of this book is entitled "The Classification and Description of the Different Kinds of Crowds". Le Bon begins by considering the classification of crowds into heterogeneous and homogeneous crowds. Le Bon argues that there are different races which constitute crowds and examines the effect of race and civilization in contrast to barbarism. Le Bon further argues that there are different kinds of homogeneous crowds including sects, castes, and classes. Following this, le Bon examines criminal crowds. Le Bon considers their psychology and the role of the unconscious. Le Bon further considers the role of crowds in the September massacre as well as other criminal crowds. Following this, le Bon considers criminal juries as crowds. Le Bon examines the role of juries arguing that they serve a useful purpose and should not be replaced by magistrates. Le Bon examines statistics on juries arguing that their decisions are often superior to those of experts or magistrates in that they are frequently more lenient and less prone to personal vendettas. Following this, le Bon considers electoral crowds. Le Bon points out some inferior points of democracy but notes that it also has some strong points as well. Le Bon notes the role of electoral crowds in the committees of the Revolution as well as the role of universal suffrage. Following this, le Bon ends by considering parliamentary assemblies, noting the roles of leaders and the progressive loss of liberties with the increase of state power. Le Bon ends by reflecting upon the rise and fall of civilizations and the passage into barbarism and relating this to his discussion of crowds.

This book offers a classic study of the crowd psychology. It was an important book for many during the early half of the Twentieth century during a period when totalitarianisms were developing and in which crowds arose led by powerful leaders. This book continues to be important though for what it has to say about the role of the crowd and large groups of people. It is recommended to those who want to understand mass psychology and the role that crowds play in society and politics.

This is a very important book on political theory and tactics. Lebon presents a very incisive study of mass psychology. He's not a popular fellow with some in light of his cynical view of democracy. However, whether or not you agree with his views on this, his views on political tactics are brilliant. For more books on subjects like this including communism and fascism, see my profile.

It is so easy to sit in our malaise and believe all that we are told. Research into the motivation behind a media message is rarely pursued in our age. It is important to know if a message portrays events accurately or if it is disinformation supplied by those with an agenda. 'The Crowd: A Study of the Popular Mind' is an essential text for anyone seeking to emerge from the fog. It is important for people to understand why others are driven to dictate the perceptions and emotions of the populous. That propaganda works is clear but it is equally true that research and methods of critical thinking can disentangle one from susceptibility to propaganda. This 19th century text appears dated in language and attitudes but in revealing the psychological responses of individuals drawn into a groupthink mentality, it is lucid and powerfully relevant to life today.

Still relevant after all these years. In fact, more so than ever before. Terrorism is not a new phenomenon, nor are suicide cults. We face a combination of them now, and The Crowd is still relevant. People don't really change...

Some have argued the communist and fascist theories of leadership that emerged during the early 1900's owed much to Le Bon's theories of crowd psychology. Early Soviet, Germany's Third Reich, and the Liberal leadership of the West all drew from the propaganda techniques proposed in Le Bon's 1895 book. The "Progressives" of today still use his techniques to control a large portion of the electorate through a friendly national media.

Edward Bernayss famous book "Propaganda" drew heavily from Le Bon and illustrates that a major feature of democracy is the manipulation of the mass mind by media and advertising. Viewing the recent political events in Egypt, Greece, France, Spain, and America in the light of increasing social media manipulation lends credence to all their theories.

This book is written in the language of the 1890's so it can be a bit cumbersome to read but it is well worth the effort for those who wish to better understand the dynamics of groups, mobs, and the popular electorate.