This paper traces the theme of dependency and autonomy from a historical perspective, showing how individual needs and defence mechanisms link with societal developments. It elaborates on the work of Menzies Lyth and her capacity to bridge the intrapsychic world of the individual with the business world and society at large. The paper analyses current events, commenting on how greed, denial and omnipotence have contributed to the recession of 2008-2010 and how ‘basic assumption’ dependency and hope have been invested in the first black American President of the United States of America.