Mass Formation Politics: Pavlovian Conditioning and the Formation of Identity

Unveiling the Power of Environmental Influence in the Books by Matias Desmet and David Masters

by David Masters - In recent years, the concept of mass formation, or collective hypnosis, has gained renewed attention as societies grapple with increasing polarization and the rise of authoritarian tendencies across the globe. Two new books, Mass Formation Politics: Pavlovian Conditioning and the Formation of Identity by clinical psychologist Matias Desmet, and Outside In: The Psychopolitics of Manipulation and Control by political theorist David Masters, seek to expose the psychological and political forces behind this phenomenon.

Both authors explore how mass formation leads to totalitarianism, but each offers a unique perspective on the mechanisms and outcomes of this collective conditioning. Desmet focuses on the psychological triggers that create mass formation, while Masters takes a political angle, analyzing the societal conditions that make this collective surrender of freedoms not only possible but likely.

The Power of Collective Hypnosis

Desmet’s Mass Formation Politics explains how certain psychological conditions—rising anxiety, social isolation, and a lack of meaning—create fertile ground for mass formation. As these anxieties grow within society, individuals lose their sense of self and latch onto collective identities, often at the expense of personal freedoms. In what Masters calls a “Borg-like” fashion, referencing the hive-minded villains from Star Trek, individual thoughts and beliefs are subsumed by the group’s ideology. One person’s view becomes everyone’s view, as the collective consciousness consolidates power.

David Masters takes this idea further in Outside In, analyzing how mass formation is often manipulated by those in power to maintain control. Masters sees the media, particularly left-leaning outlets, as prime examples of this manipulation, using psychological tactics to create conformity and suppress dissent. The groupthink he describes operates much like Pavlovian conditioning: repeated exposure to a specific narrative creates automatic, uncritical acceptance of that narrative.

Assimilation or Annihilation: The Tipping Point

Both authors raise a chilling question: What happens when mass formation reaches the tipping point of 51%? According to Desmet and Masters, when over half the population falls into collective hypnosis, society faces two possible outcomes: assimilation or annihilation. Either dissenting individuals are assimilated into the dominant ideology, or they are systematically marginalized and eliminated—socially, politically, or even physically.

Masters likens this process to the natural evolution of democracy, where a majority rule often turns into a tyranny of the majority. When mass formation reaches this critical mass, the dominant group will tolerate no opposition, and alternative viewpoints will be crushed. The result is the erosion of democracy, as totalitarianism becomes the inevitable outcome. The tension between individual freedoms and collective control becomes unsustainable, leading to societal conflict or the complete suppression of independent thought.

How Close is America to the Tipping Point?

Both books raise urgent questions about the state of modern America. Desmet and Masters argue that the country may be dangerously close to this tipping point of mass formation. The cultural conditions that foster groupthink—widespread anxiety, disillusionment with traditional institutions, and a media environment that reinforces ideological echo chambers—are all present. For Desmet, the danger is psychological: Americans are increasingly disconnected from meaningful social bonds and are more likely to seek refuge in collective identities. For Masters, the danger is political: a powerful media, particularly on the left, is creating a cultural consensus that stifles opposition and encourages conformity.

As mass formation nears this critical threshold, both authors argue that America is facing a final chance to avoid the descent into totalitarianism. Masters, in particular, points to the importance of the upcoming elections as a potential turning point. For him, the act of voting is one of the few remaining tools left to resist mass formation, by supporting candidates and movements that prioritize individual rights over collective control. But time, he warns, is running out.

Can Individualists Survive?

The fate of individualists—those who resist the collective mindset—remains uncertain. Historically, as both authors point out, mass formation has often resulted in the suppression or elimination of those who refuse to conform. Examples from Nazi Germany, Soviet Russia, and Maoist China demonstrate the brutal consequences when a society succumbs to mass formation. Independent thinkers and dissidents are often persecuted or silenced.

Yet, there is still hope, according to Desmet and Masters. Both authors emphasize the need for resilience and intellectual courage in resisting mass formation. Masters, in particular, urges individualists to break free from the cycle of Pavlovian conditioning by seeking out alternative narratives, fostering independent thought, and building strong communities that value personal freedom. Desmet offers a more psychological approach, encouraging individuals to cultivate meaning in their lives beyond the group, thus inoculating themselves against the allure of collective thinking.

A Final Warning

In the end, both Mass Formation Politics and Outside In offer a stark warning: America is at a crossroads, and the choices made in the coming years will determine whether the country preserves its democratic ideals or succumbs to the totalitarian forces unleashed by mass formation. For Desmet, the battle is primarily psychological, while for Masters, it is political—but both agree that the threat is real, and the consequences of inaction could be catastrophic.

With the tipping point looming, these books call for a renewed commitment to individual freedom, critical thinking, and political engagement. As America stands on the precipice, Desmet and Masters remind us that we may have one last chance to avoid the collective nightmare of mass formation—and that chance may come down to a single vote.