Psychology of Political Extremism

Gabrielle Rifkind is a practicing psychotherapist and group analyst, and a specialist in conflict resolution. She has spent the past two decades working in conflict resolution in the Middle East.

• About the author -- One Freud, the father of psychoanalysis -- Two Can war be avoided? -- Three Religion: the search for a powerful father? -- Four The psychology of terrorism -- Five What can we do? -- References -- Index

'Politics and Psychology have much to say to each other about public and private life. Gabrielle Rifkind follows in the tradition of enhancing both in her illuminating study.’-Susie Orbach‘An insightful new look at why people might join Islamic State by a true professional.’-Richard Barrett, Former head of the United Nations Al Qaeda /Taliban Monitoring Team‘We live in a world full of terror and destruction; consequently, very few human beings feel safe. Fortunately, Gabrielle Rifkind’s magnificent new book explores the deep psychology of political extremism and terrorism and helps us to acquire a profound insight into the origin of warfare and its possible cure. Rifkind’s ground-breaking and pioneering work as a psychotherapist in international politics serves as a truly creative inspiration, demonstrating the ways in which one can introduce humanity and understanding into a seemingly hopeless situation.’-Professor Brett Kahr, Senior Fellow at Tavistock Relationships, Tavistock Institute of Medical Psychology, London, and Senior Clinical Research Fellow at the Centre for Child Mental Health‘Rifkind's writing has a lightness of touch that only the most thoughtful author in full command of her subject can master. To try to imagine a conversation with Freud about IS is no mean feat. It calls for a playful and bold imagination rooted in an exhaustive grasp of Freud's work both of which Rifkind has in abundance.’-Nicola Glucksmann, psychotherapist /analytical psychologist‘Politics and Psychology have much to say to each other about public and private life. Gabrielle Rifkind follows in the tradition of enhancing both in her illuminating study.’-Susie Orbach‘An insightful new look at why people might join Islamic State by a true professional.’-Richard Barrett, Former head of the United Nations Al Qaeda /Taliban Monitoring Team‘We live in a world full of terror and destruction; consequently, very few human beings feel safe. Fortunately, Gabrielle Rifkind’s magnificent new book explores the deep psychology of political extremism and terrorism and helps us to acquire a profound insight into the origin of warfare and its possible cure. Rifkind’s ground-breaking and pioneering work as a psychotherapist in international politics serves as a truly creative inspiration, demonstrating the ways in which one can introduce humanity and understanding into a seemingly hopeless situation.’-Professor Brett Kahr, Senior Fellow at Tavistock Relationships, Tavistock Institute of Medical Psychology, London, and Senior Clinical Research Fellow at the Centre for Child Mental Health‘Rifkind's writing has a lightness of touch that only the most thoughtful author in full command of her subject can master. To try to imagine a conversation with Freud about IS is no mean feat. It calls for a playful and bold imagination rooted in an exhaustive grasp of Freud's work, both of which Rifkind has in abundance.’-Nicola Glucksmann, psychotherapist /analytical psychologist