In "The Social Contract," Rousseau contemplates the nature of legitimate authority and the social contract that binds individuals into a collective body. His ideas on governance and the relationship between the individual and the state remain influential in political philosophy.
Gustave Le Bon's "The Crowd" is a pioneering study of how crowds can exhibit unique behaviors and characteristics that differ from those of individuals. Le Bon's exploration of the psychology of crowds offers profound insights into their influence on culture, politics, and decision-making.
Sigmund Freud's "Group Psychology and The Analysis of the Ego" delves into the dynamics of group behavior and the impact of group dynamics on the individual psyche. Freud's work explores the way in which individuals function within a collective and the subconscious forces at play.
"Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds" by Charles Mackay is a fascinating study of historical examples of mass hysteria, speculative bubbles, and popular delusions. Mackay's work serves as a cautionary exploration of the irrational tendencies that can grip large groups of people.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau. The Social Contract
Gustave Le Bon. The Crowd: A Study of the Popular Mind
Gustave Le Bon. The Psychology of Revolution
Sigmund Freud. Group Psychology And The Analysis Of The Ego
Charles Mackay. Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds
Wilfred Trotter. Instincts of the Herd in Peace and War
Everett Dean Martin. The Behavior of Crowds: A Psychological Study