Political Freud - A History

In this masterful psychological-intellectual history, Eli Zaretsky shows Freudianism to be something more than a method of psychotherapy. When considered alongside the major struggles of the twentieth century, Freudianism becomes a catalyst of the age. Political Freud is Zaretsky's account of the way twentieth century radicals, activists, and thinkers used Freudian thought to understand the political developments of their century. Through his reading, he shows the ongoing, formative power of Freudianism in contemporary times.

List of contents

Acknowledgments
Introduction: Political Freud
1. Psychoanalysis and the Spirit of Capitalism
2. Beyond the Blues: The Racial Unconscious and Collective Memory
3. In the Shadow of the Holocaust: Rereading Freud's Moses
4. The Ego at War: From the Death Instinct to Precarious Life
5. From the Maturity Ethic to the Psychology of Power: The New Left, Feminism, and the Return to "Social Reality"
Afterword: Freud in the Twenty-first Century
Notes
Index

About the author

Eli Zaretsky

Summary

Political Freud considers how twentieth century radicals, activists, and thinkers used Freudian thought to understand the political developments of their times. Eli Zaretsky shows how important political readings of Freud were to the theory of fascism, African American radical thought, and feminism and gay liberation.

Report

"Zaretsky offers a fascinating analysis of the inherent political ambivalence of psychoanalysis, its intertwined conservative and utopian strands. Political Freud is a deeply interesting and important contribution to debates about the relationship between psychoanalysis, critical theory and politics." Amy R. Allen, Dartmouth College

Product details

• Authors: Eli Zaretsky, Zaretsky Eli
• Publisher: Columbia University Press
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 31.10.2015
• EAN: 9780231172448
• ISBN: 978-0-231-17244-8
• No. of pages: 248
• Dimensions: 165 mm x 235 mm x 20 mm
• Subjects: Non-fiction book; Social sciences, law, business > Political science > Political science and political education; USA, 20th Century, HISTORY / World, 20th century history: c 1900 to c 2000, POLITICAL SCIENCE / American Government / National, General & world history, 20th century, c 1900 to c 1999, United States of America, USA, Psychoanalytical and Freudian psychology, General and world history, Central / national / federal government, Central government, Psychoanalytical theory (Freudian psychology), PSYCHOLOGY / Psychotherapy / Psychoanalysis