Description
Despite what politicians, philosophers and the press have long told us, every peaceful crowd is not a violent mob in waiting. Dan Hancox argues it is time to rethink long-held assumptions about crowd behaviour and psychology, as well as the part crowds play in our lives. The story of the modern world is the story of multitudes in action. Crowds are the ultimate force for change: the bringer of conviviality, euphoria, mass culture and democracy.
Behind the establishment's long war against crowds is the work of eccentric proto-fascist Gustave Le Bon. Having witnessed the revolutionary Paris Commune, he declared the crowd barbaric, the enemy of all that was civilized. In the twentieth century, his theory influenced Mussolini, Hitler and Freud alike. It moulded the policing of our communities and the new industry of public relations, shaping our cities and politics.
From raucous football matches and raves to rubber-bullet-riddled riots, Dan Hancox takes us into the crowd's pulsating heart to pose the questions that will define our age. Is the madness of crowds real? What did the January 6 insurrection on Capitol Hill share with the Nuremberg rallies? What fresh dangers are posed to free assembly by the surveillance society? And how has a radical new generation of psychologists begun to change everything - even the policing of protests?
In pursuit of the liberating powers of the crowd
About the Author
Dan Hancox is a native Londoner who writes about music, politics, gentrification, social exclusion, protest and the margins of urban life, chiefly for the Guardian, but also the New York Times, Vice, The Fader, Dazed & Confused and XXL.
Reviews
Multitudes will make you question everything you thought you knew about crowds, even the ones you've been a part of. Hancox delivers a compelling case for understanding crowds as an essential force in modern history and as a powerful way of connecting to our shared humanity' -- Leslie Kern, author of Feminist City
Hancox provides, in lucid and passionate prose, a compelling account of the new psychology of crowds. He shows an impressive command of the technical literature, the historical record and contemporary events, resulting in a broadside against the reflex condemnation of crowds that we hear so often in the mouths of politicians and journalists. He has thereby produced a book of great value that will be hard to refute or ignore. Read this book. And, when you have finished, you will never use the word 'mob' again.' -- Stephen Reicher, professor of psychology, University of St Andrews
Shaking us out of the pandemic's dogmatic social distancing, Dan Hancox inspires us to seek again a vital source of strength and creativity -- the joy of crowds -- Jodi Dean, author of Crowds and Party
Joining crowds brings us joy, spontaneity, new connections, they're empowering and they represent democracy in their purest form - no wonder they are always demonised by those in power. Hancox's energetic reporting and deep dive into the history of crowd behaviour, helps us see them in a completely new light. -- Josie Long, comedian
A brilliant eulogy to the power and joy of the human throng. Hancox not only grasps the logic of crowds, but evokes their feeling with sparkling prose -- William Davies, author of This is Not Normal
A compelling reappraisal of the history and politics of crowds, which teases out the political project behind the spectre of the "angry mob". Based on meticulous and enthusiastic research, it is an engaging - and unexpectedly touching - analysis of the lure of the crowd today -- Charlotte Lydia Riley, author of Imperial Island
An examination of the rich history of crowds in entertainment, sports, and politics. * Kirkus Reviews *
Book Information
ISBN 9781804294482
Author Dan Hancox
Format Hardback
Page Count 272
Imprint Verso Books
Publisher Verso Books
Weight(grams) 350g
Behind the establishment's long war against crowds is the work of eccentric proto-fascist Gustave Le Bon. Having witnessed the revolutionary Paris Commune, he declared the crowd barbaric, the enemy of all that was civilized. In the twentieth century, his theory influenced Mussolini, Hitler and Freud alike. It moulded the policing of our communities and the new industry of public relations, shaping our cities and politics.
From raucous football matches and raves to rubber-bullet-riddled riots, Dan Hancox takes us into the crowd's pulsating heart to pose the questions that will define our age. Is the madness of crowds real? What did the January 6 insurrection on Capitol Hill share with the Nuremberg rallies? What fresh dangers are posed to free assembly by the surveillance society? And how has a radical new generation of psychologists begun to change everything - even the policing of protests?
In pursuit of the liberating powers of the crowd
About the Author
Dan Hancox is a native Londoner who writes about music, politics, gentrification, social exclusion, protest and the margins of urban life, chiefly for the Guardian, but also the New York Times, Vice, The Fader, Dazed & Confused and XXL.
Reviews
Multitudes will make you question everything you thought you knew about crowds, even the ones you've been a part of. Hancox delivers a compelling case for understanding crowds as an essential force in modern history and as a powerful way of connecting to our shared humanity' -- Leslie Kern, author of Feminist City
Hancox provides, in lucid and passionate prose, a compelling account of the new psychology of crowds. He shows an impressive command of the technical literature, the historical record and contemporary events, resulting in a broadside against the reflex condemnation of crowds that we hear so often in the mouths of politicians and journalists. He has thereby produced a book of great value that will be hard to refute or ignore. Read this book. And, when you have finished, you will never use the word 'mob' again.' -- Stephen Reicher, professor of psychology, University of St Andrews
Shaking us out of the pandemic's dogmatic social distancing, Dan Hancox inspires us to seek again a vital source of strength and creativity -- the joy of crowds -- Jodi Dean, author of Crowds and Party
Joining crowds brings us joy, spontaneity, new connections, they're empowering and they represent democracy in their purest form - no wonder they are always demonised by those in power. Hancox's energetic reporting and deep dive into the history of crowd behaviour, helps us see them in a completely new light. -- Josie Long, comedian
A brilliant eulogy to the power and joy of the human throng. Hancox not only grasps the logic of crowds, but evokes their feeling with sparkling prose -- William Davies, author of This is Not Normal
A compelling reappraisal of the history and politics of crowds, which teases out the political project behind the spectre of the "angry mob". Based on meticulous and enthusiastic research, it is an engaging - and unexpectedly touching - analysis of the lure of the crowd today -- Charlotte Lydia Riley, author of Imperial Island
An examination of the rich history of crowds in entertainment, sports, and politics. * Kirkus Reviews *
Book Information
ISBN 9781804294482
Author Dan Hancox
Format Hardback
Page Count 272
Imprint Verso Books
Publisher Verso Books
Weight(grams) 350g
