Development of Latin-American Societies in the IFPS

Abstract

The International Federation of Psychoanalytic Societies (IFPS) was created to achieve an open, plural spirit, not constrained by any single psychoanalytic theory, such that one of its main aims was to “avoid the bureaucratization of its theory.” The IFPS did not intend to turn its back on the statements of early psychoanalysis; instead, it sought to use them as a basis for proposing and developing the theory of psychoanalysis. These same aims and origins served as an inspiration for each of the Latin-American societies that would gain affiliation to IFPS over the years. The Sociedad Psicoanalítica Mexicana AC, under the guidance and representation of Erich Fromm, played a central role in the creation of the IFPS. A brief account of the participation, affiliation, and development of each of the six affiliated Latin-American Societies – from Mexico, Brazil, and Chile – and one Study Group in Argentina will be described.