Visions of A Sane Society

Building critically from the work of Erich Fromm, who argued that societies based on class domination foster aggressive personalities and normalize pathology, this unique book envisions spiritual-intellectual-emotional unity to promote a living experience of fulfilling and productive social relations. Visions of a Sane Society posits that the familiar left-versus-right political spectrum concept is long-outdated and that the political and cultural battles of today are between those who support a common humanity and shared prosperity, and those who seek self-aggrandizement and personal gratification. Based on contemporary research and psychodynamic theory, this work develops Fromm’s concept of the sane society to show the adverse emotional and intellectual consequences of alienated labor lead to authoritarianism and consumerism and that, in order to save the world from fascism and ecosystem collapse, the progressive side must succeed to unite diverse activist groups, overthrow the old hierarchies, and establish a society with ideals of democracy and equality. Fromm’s vision of a postcapitalist society would necessarily overcome the alienation inherent to capitalism, requiring not simply a change in the economic system through a humanistic socialism, but a fundamental change in the very nature of social character, which would be an egalitarian democratic society of caring, sharing, of people living in harmony with each other, and with Nature. This book is an important and vital resource for students and instructors in sociology, social theory, political sociology, social psychology, and political science, as well as activists, organizers, and community workers who want to understand contemporary social dynamics and the way toward a healthy and sustainable society for all.