Nature of man Quote by Masha Gessen
““every totalitarian regime forms a type of human being on whom it relies for its stability. The shaping of the New Man is the regime’s explicit project, but its product is not so much a vessel for the regime’s ideology as it is a person best equipped to survive in a given society. The regime, in turn, comes to depend on this newly shaped type of person for its continued survival.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Future Is History, Masha Gessen, 2017
Authoritarian regimes create a specific citizen archetype to maintain power; this "New Man" is shaped to survive under the regime, which then relies on them for stability.
In simple terms: Regimes craft people to sustain themselves.
Key Takeaway
Understand how political systems shape identities.
Themes
power
identity
control
Mood
critical
thoughtful
Type
political
analytical
When to use this quote
- government policy
- education
- media
- employment
- community
Key Concepts
totalitarianism
social engineering
political psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- How does your environment shape your identity?
- Can you retain autonomy under pressure?
A Different Perspective
Individuals may resist or subvert the imposed role.
