Abstract
This article discusses the Austrian author Hermann Broch's voluminous crowd theory with a special emphasis on its political superstructure. The aim of Broch's theoretical work is to understand modern crowd phenomena and, against this background, to fight totalitarian mass aberration. The article first outlines his basic socio-psychological analysis of the modern individual and its alleged urge for the totalitarian. Next, it discusses Broch's political theory of how to prevent fascist totalitarianism through a so-called total democracy that is based on extensive human rights. In the final part, the article offers a critical assessment of the legacy of Broch's political theory. It is argued that Broch provides an important understanding of irrational energies in modern political life. This could serve as a supplement to recent discussions of the socio-political impact of passions and affect.
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