Epilogue

Abstract

Opening to further reflection, the epilogue recalls Franz Neumann’s 1954 arguments that anxiety arises in response to economic and cultural threats to identity and status, often paralyzing political participation. In times of disillusionment and social unrest, anxiety precipitates unreflective responses, including adherence to “caesaristic movements,” grounded on “false concreteness” or social prejudices. Another great observer of the rise of authoritarian movements, Hermann Broch, ties anxiety to our embodied ego’s existence in its world, to its self-enhancement, and to responses to perceived threats. When confronted with dangers to its self-expansion, anxiety, panic, and compensatory behaviors aiming at sadistic “over-satisfactions” (Superbefriedigungen) ensue. These responses can be seen in individuals and in the groups and movements they form. Together, these authors strongly support the book’s argument for abiding with anxiety and approaching it with a certain existential knowledge—of oneself and one’s circumstances.