Democracy is in Danger

Erik Fromm, "Escape From Freedom

All of us today are familiar with the argument that as society has progressed, individuals have become isolated and disconnected. The result leads to a desire for submission to authority. Modern technology has isolated people despite the incredible improvements in worldwide communication.

People in the US feel lonelier than ever reported. For this reason, it is worrisome that the American public has shifted to right-wing thinking and to Donald Trump. He seems to embrace the idea of dictatorship. His admiration for Vladimir Putin is just one example of Trump’s way of thinking, and vast numbers of Americans embrace this authoritarian way of thinking.

Escape from Freedom by Erich Fromm delves into the concept of freedom and the psychological mechanisms that drive individuals to seek escape from the burdens of self-responsibility. It offers valuable insights into the human psyche and society’s quest for autonomy.

If humanity cannot live with the dangers and responsibilities inherent in freedom, it will turn to authoritarianism. The central idea of Escape from Freedom is a landmark work by a distinguished thinker and a timely book even now, decades after its 1941 publication.

Freedom can be scary as it demands personal responsibility and decision-making, causing stress and anxiety. It also means confronting the uncertainty and potential risks of making those choices.

Freedom can lead to feelings of isolation and disconnect from others, which can further compound the fear and anxiety associated with it. These factors can cause some individuals to seek escape from the burdens of self-responsibility, which can lead to dangerous consequences when that escape takes the form of submission to authoritarian figures or ideologies.

The concept of freedom isolates. It places the burden of individual decision-making and self-accountability on each person, leading to feelings of detachment from those with different values or beliefs.

The prospect of facing uncertain outcomes and potential risks can be overwhelming, leading some individuals to seek security in conformity and submission to authority. However, it’s important to emphasize that true freedom doesn’t mean complete disconnection from others. In fact, it can embrace one’s individuality and engage with the world while fostering a sense of interconnectedness and solidarity with others.

In his seminal work, “Escape from Freedom,” Erich Fromm delves into the profound psychological and social paradoxes that arise from the liberating concept of freedom. He examines evolving freedom, from medieval security to Renaissance and Reformation uncertainties. Fromm argues that while shedding traditional bonds in these earlier eras offered the potential for greater individual autonomy, it also generated profound feelings of isolation and powerlessness.

For Fromm, true freedom hinges upon more than the absence of external constraints. He insists that genuine freedom is rooted in the positive realization of one’s individuality, unique potential, creativity, and ability to connect with the world. However, this path is fraught with anxiety and uncertainty as individuals confront their limitations and the vast unknown. Fromm contends people may surrender their freedom to restore an illusory sense of security and belonging when these burdens prove too overwhelming.

He identifies a key danger: this pursuit of a false escape from freedom often takes the form of submission to authoritarian figures or ideologies. Destructive tendencies, fueled by fear and isolation, can also manifest as society succumbs to the darker impulses of control and domination. Fromm uses these insights to understand the rise of fascism in his time, highlighting how an entire population can submit to systems that exploit the deep, unresolved anxieties of their citizens.

As an alternative to these destructive escapes, Fromm supports the idea of a society built upon ‘positive freedom.’ It involves individuals embracing their individuality and engaging with the world around them. It means fostering solidarity and recognizing our interconnectedness. This concept emphasizes love, both towards others and towards oneself, as a unifying and empowering force.

Fromm’s book is a work of historical analysis and a deep exploration of the human psyche. It sheds a stark light on how fear and insecurity can undermine the freedoms we crave. It cautions us that if we choose to flee from the challenges of genuine freedom, we risk embracing forces of repression and destruction. The book presents a choice: retreat or confront modern life with courage and a belief in our ability to create a just world for all.

Fromm’s insights have a chilling relevance in today’s political climate.

One core theme in American politics is the tension between individual liberty and the desire for security and belonging. Fromm argues that modern life’s vastness and complexity increase isolation and insignificance for many Americans. This fertile ground of anxiety provides an opportunity for manipulative forces to gain power by promising simple solutions and restoring a sense of lost order. Promises often appeal to a past, igniting nostalgia for a perceived safer and more stable time.

Populist ideologies in America reflect Fromm’s concept of “escape mechanisms.” Whether through nationalism, religious fundamentalism, or other forms of rigid ideology, these movements offer an alluring sense of belonging and an escape from the personal responsibility inherent in genuine freedom.

Fromm would caution against confusing a blind submission to authority with a sense of true community. He emphasized that a healthy society is founded on “positive freedom,” where individuals embrace their unique potential and interconnectedness with others. Today, this idea seems at odds with the political polarization in America, where differing viewpoints morph into existential threats, and compromise becomes a sign of weakness rather than strength. The fracturing of the country along ideological lines mirrors Fromm’s warnings about how anxiety, when unaddressed, can fuel destructive tendencies and drive apart a society.

“Escape from Freedom” is a stark reminder that the freedoms we hold dear are not guaranteed. It urges us to recognize the seductive appeal of authoritarian solutions and confront the anxieties that make them alluring. Most vitally, Fromm challenges us to question whether our current political climate fosters the “positive freedom” necessary to build a just and sustainable society. The task becomes not just to combat specific ideologies but to address the underlying psychological vulnerabilities that give those ideologies such dangerous power.

If Fromm were alive today, he would posit that the decline of traditional social structures leaves individuals adrift. Right-wing populist rhetoric exploits these anxieties by offering a simple, us-versus-them view of the world. Trump’s promises to “Make America Great Again” tapped into deep-seated nostalgia for a mythic past where social hierarchies were clear and social problems had easy solutions.

Fromm would also recognize how right-wing ideology manipulates feelings of powerlessness into resentment and aggression. By designating scapegoats, such as immigrants, racial minorities, or liberal elites, this ideology provides a target for anxieties and frustrations, allowing followers to reclaim an illusory sense of control. The demonization of “the other” fuels the divisive politics upon which the Trump brand thrives, undermining the solidarity and empathy necessary for a healthy democracy.

While Fromm’s work predates the specific political landscape of our time, “Escape from Freedom” offers a visionary framework for understanding the allure of right-wing populism in America. It reminds us that the appeal of figures like Trump does not stem from specific policies or ideologies but taps into deep psychological anxieties of a transforming world.