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When, during his presidency of the International Psychoanalytical Association, Robert S. Wallerstein on two occasions (1988, 1990) expressed the view that there existed a common ground in psychoanalysis beyond the many signs of divergence on a scale that was becoming a concern and a preoccupation for the future of psychoanalysis, he wanted to generate a glimmer of hope in a grey sky. I do not think that these circumstances are accidental and I cannot see who else but the IPA president would be capable of having such an idea and being prompted by the same intentions. I now think that this was—and remains—a political act. I am not using this adjective in any kind of pejorative sense. It seems to me that it is entirely within a president's prerogative to foster a unity between the members of his association that transcends geographical and ideological boundaries. Just as any good father attempts to reduce differences of opinion between his children, when each has adopted different political viewpoints, often contradictory or even incompatible, Robert S. Wallerstein was undertaking a highly well-intentioned manoeuvre in order to give us the courage to confront the difficult times ahead that could already be foreseen for psychoanalysis.
In his latest contribution, he relates with his customary candour the history of the movements that have dominated successively in the various parts of the psychoanalytic world, both during Freud's lifetime and since his death. However, I shall make several observations on this subject. The schisms and suspensions that occurred in Freud's time were different. Freud himself felt in a position to judge whether something was psychoanalytically acceptable or not. Freud's monopoly has ended. Furthermore, certain criticisms have been levelled, for example concerning the suspension of Reich, when it was clear that he had been an eminent psychoanalyst but subsequent events had revealed his severe psychic affliction.
Wallerstein refers to an allianc