The Fourier Complex
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The Psychological Roots of Antiliberalism
''"It cannot be the task of this book to discuss the problem of social cooperation
otherwise than with rational arguments. But the root of the opposition to liberalism
cannot be reached by resort to the method of reason. This opposition does not stem
from the reason, but from a pathological mental attitude—from resentment and from
a neurasthenic condition that one might call a Fourier complex, after the French
socialist of that name."''
''" Concerning resentment and envious malevolence little need be said. Resentment
is at work when one so hates somebody for his more favorable circumstances that
one is prepared to bear heavy losses if only the hated one might also come to harm.
'''Many of those who attack capitalism know very well that their situation under any
other economic system will be less favorable'''. Nevertheless, with full knowledge of
this fact, they advocate a reform, e.g., socialism, because they hope that the rich,
whom they envy, will also suffer under it. Time and again one hears socialists say
that even material want will be easier to bear in a socialist society because people
will realize that no one is better off than his neighbor."''
''" At all events, resentment can still be dealt with by rational arguments. It is, after
all, not too difficult to make clear to a person who is filled with resentment that the
important thing for him cannot be to worsen the position of his better situated fellow
men, but to improve his own."''
''" The Fourier complex is much harder to combat. What is involved in this case is a
serious disease of the nervous system, a neurosis, which is more properly the
concern of the psychologist than of the legislator. Yet it cannot be neglected in
investigating the problems of modern society. Unfortunately, medical men have
hitherto scarcely concerned themselves with the problems presented by the Fourier
complex. Indeed, they have hardly been noticed even by Freud, the great master of
psychology, or by his followers in their theory of neurosis, though it is to
psychoanalysis that we are indebted for having opened up the path that alone leads
to a coherent and systematic understanding of mental disorders of this kind."'''
''"Scarcely one person in a million succeeds in fulfilling his life's ambition. The
upshot of one's labors, even if one is favored by fortune, remains far inferior to what
the wistful daydreams of youth allowed one to hope for. Plans and desires are
shattered on a thousand obstacles, and one's powers prove too weak to achieve the
goals on which one has set one's heart. The failure of his hopes, the frustration of
his schemes, his own inadequacy in the face of the tasks that he has set himselfthese constitute every man's most deeply painful experience, They are, indeed, the common lot of man."''
''" There are two ways in which man can react to this experience.
One way is indicated by the practical wisdom of Goethe:
"Dost thou fancy that I should hate life,
''"Should flee to the wilderness,
"Because not all my budding dreams have blossomed? "
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