Charlotte Beradt's compelling work, "The Third Reich of Dreams," is set to be re-published in April, offering readers a unique glimpse into the subconscious lives of ordinary Germans living under Nazi rule between 1933 and 1939. Originally published in the early 1980s and re-published in 1986, the book explores the ambivalence people felt towards the totalitarian regime, revealing a psychological struggle between despising the regime outwardly and a suppressed desire to belong and be accepted. This ambivalence, as Beradt illustrates, can lead to passivity or even collusion with authoritarian powers.
Beradt's collection sheds light on the "bystander effect," a concept identified by psychologists Latané and Darley in the 1970s. The phenomenon explains how individuals in a quiet, unresponsive crowd can suppress their natural instincts to act, even when faced with personal danger. This effect is starkly illustrated through studies where individuals raise alarms when alone in a smoke-filled room, but remain passive when others around them do the same. Only 10% take action in the presence of others who stay silent, compared to three-quarters when alone.
The re-publication of "The Third Reich of Dreams" is timely, as it offers insights into how unconscious complicity might allow dictatorial figures such as Donald Trump to ascend to power. Beradt found that those who actively opposed the Nazi regime did not experience ambivalent dreams, highlighting a direct correlation between active resistance and psychological clarity. Her findings suggest that understanding our subconscious responses to fascism is crucial for resisting its rise.
By delving into the dreams of ordinary people, Beradt provides a profound understanding of the psychology underpinning fascism and Nazism. Her work emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and confronting the "infection of fascism" within society. The themes explored in her book are increasingly relevant in contemporary discussions about passive resistance and the dangers of authoritarian leadership.