Crowds

In this book, Gustave Le Bon examines the psychology of crowds, arguing that when individuals form a crowd, they undergo a profound psychological transformation. He explains that crowds are characterized by impulsiveness, irritability, and an incapacity to reason, and that individuals within a crowd relinquish their personal identities and become susceptible to suggestion and emotional contagion. Le Bon discusses how crowds can display either heroic or criminal tendencies based on prevailing ideas and emotions, and emphasizes the role of leaders in simplifying and communicating ideas to the crowd. The book is divided into sections that analyze the general characteristics of crowds, their sentiments and morality, their ideas and reasoning power, and the classification and description of different kinds of crowds.

In 'Multitudes', Dan Hancox delves into the history and psychology of crowds, challenging traditional negative views of crowd behavior. He explores various types of crowds, including those in revolutionary movements, sports events, carnivals, and protests, highlighting how crowds can free individuals from restrictive social norms and create new connections. Hancox argues that crowds are a vital force in modern history and a powerful way of connecting to shared humanity, despite often being demonized by those in power.