The Allure of Fascism and “The Appointment in Samarra”1

My intention this morning is to explore, from a psychoanalytic perspective, some aspects of the essence of fascistic states of mind and to wonder with you about the decline that we are increasingly witnessing in people's capacity to trust the values of liberal and democratic principles. I would like to consider why so many people around the world, especially in countries such as Russia, the United States, Hungary, India, Turkey, and now in Israel, doubt their capacity to self-govern without resorting to having blind faith in omnipotent and authoritarian strongmen. Why are so many people drawn to simplistic ideologies that are suffused with hatred, sadism, grievances, and lies? My final aim is to offer a psychoanalytic perspective that may help us understand the allure of these fascistic states of mind.

Since the election of Donald Trump, I have been finding that it is often quite challenging to write about fascism. As a rule, when I think that I have finally finished a draft for a presentation or an essay for publication, something even more significant, worrisome, or egregious transpires — a political or social event that makes me feel that my writings may be, by now, outdated or even obsolete. I believe that what causes this phenomenon is the manic speed in which the social contract is being transformed and reshaped by movements that are dominated by fascistic states of mind (Loewenstein, 2023b).

The manic nature of these states and their proclivity for quick action, without the slower meditating effect of reflection, create constant social and political upheaval. These states of mind seem to be drawn toward endless