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.

'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

• 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