This post tracks ideas in The True Believer, by Hoeffer.
There is a fundamental difference between the appeal of a mass movement and the appeal of a practical organization. The practical organization offers opportunities for self-advancement, and its appeal is mainly to self-interest. On the other hand, a mass movement, particularly in its active, revivalist phase, appeals not to those intent on bolstering and advancing a cherished self, but to those who crave to be rid of an unwanted self. A mass movement attracts and holds a following not because it can satisfy the desire for self-advancement, but because it can satisfy the passion for self-renunciation.
The main MO of a MM is to replace action with identity. This is the general phenomena of which narcissism (TLP and samzdat brand) is a specific form of.
Moloch like forces conspire such that the most successful MM will be the one’s that do the best job of keeping their members very frustrated. Hate is often used to keep fire burning.
#4 Without belief in a god, never without belief in the devil
This post tracks ideas in The True Believer, by Hoeffer.
The main MO of a MM is to replace action with identity. This is the general phenomena of which narcissism (TLP and samzdat brand) is a specific form of.
Moloch like forces conspire such that the most successful MM will be the one’s that do the best job of keeping their members very frustrated. Hate is often used to keep fire burning.