The Vision Thing: Myth, Politics and Psyche in the World [Paperback]

Thomas Singer (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0415195543 | ISBN-13: 978-0415195546 | Publication Date: February 26, 2000 | Edition: 1

Contemporary politics goes on at a mythic level. This is the provocative argument put forward in this unique book which results from the collaboration of practising politicians, organisational and political consultants, scholars of mythology and culture, and Jungian analysts from several countries.
The first part of the book focuses on leadership and vision, and features a reflection on myth and leadership by former U.S. Senator Bill Bradley. The second part deals with the way the theme of 'the one and the many' works itself out in politics today. From the perspective of 'the many', there are chapters on factionalism, ethnic strife, genocide and multiculturalism. From the perspective of 'the one', there are chapters on the economic myth and gender politics showing how these bring coherence to today's confused political scene, culminating in the suggestion that the modern political psyche is itself in the midst of a rite of passage.
The relevance of the book to the practice and study of politics, mainstream and marginal, cannot be overemphasised and the book will provide stimulating reading for practitioners and students in these areas as well as for those engaged in psychological work such as therapy, counselling or analysis.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Thomas Singer is a psychiatrist and Jungian Analyst. He is Chair of the Extended Education Committee of the San Francisco C. G. Jung Institute, and the author of Who's the Patient Here and Portraits of the Young Psychotherapist.

Product Details

• Paperback: 281 pages
• Publisher: Routledge; 1 edition (February 26, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0415195543
• ISBN-13: 978-0415195546
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,193,456 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A VISION WORTH SEEING, June 7, 2000

By 

Iden Z Goodman (Berkeley, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Vision Thing: Myth, Politics and Psyche in the World (Paperback)

I found THE VISION THING a startling, bold, and creative feast in which the contributors address culturally hot topics such as political leadership, law, gender, race, pure evil, the world wide web, and Aboriginal alcoholism from a perspective steeped in the shared collective nature of our minds. Reading these pieces is not only to engage pleasurably with passionate and generous thinkers on their chosen topics, it is to become tantalized and educated about a way of appreciating ourselves as human beings in political activities. That way requires awareness of the mythic and archetypal themes braided into our conscious involvements with cultural issues.

A sure sign of the power contained in this way of analysis, and of the contributors' skills in presenting it, is that THE VISION THING stirred my emotions as well as my thoughts. One piece made me dizzy; another left me sickened; I marvelled at one and despaired at another - rare reactions to a book so chock full of first class thinking. I read most articles with an excitement appropriate to mystery stories, eager to know the outcome as I was led on by the author's own sense of adventure. Without exception, each contribution left me more thoughtful, informed, and sensitive to its topic.

Chapter after chapter recounts thoughts and deeds which will inspire, instruct, and amuse casual and professional readers for decades to come. I anticipate this book will hold a unique and valued place in the library of everyone fortunate enough to have come upon it.