Ideology and the crowd

Abstract

This article discusses the ideological role of crowd experiences. Utilizing both classical crowd theory and ideas from Lacanian psychoanalysis, it suggests that what happens to the subject in crowds can be understood as a de-subjectification linked to the drive and to an encounter with Other jouissance. Finally, it is argued that the concept of charisma might link the always transitory crowd experience with more permanent ideological identifications if it is thought as a retrospective rationalization, which involves assuming that the leader is the source of the ecstasy experienced in crowds.

Keywords:

• body
• crowds
• crowd theory
• Gabriel Tarde
• ideology
• Lacan
• Le Bon