Rainer Mausfeld Discusses Pacifism and War Opposition in Interview
In a recent interview with der Freitag, psychologist Rainer Mausfeld, known for his sharp critique of Western opinion-making, discusses why societies, despite widespread personal opposition to war, are repeatedly driven into military conflicts. Since the onset of the Ukraine war, the discourse has intensified, with those arguing against massive rearmament often dismissed as naive or 'Putin sympathizers.' However, prominent voices like Alice Schwarzer, Ilija Trojanow, and Mithu Sanyal have increasingly spoken out critically. Mausfeld, who in 2023 co-signed a widely discussed peace manifesto with Schwarzer and Sahra Wagenknecht, asserts that almost no one personally wants war, yet the German society is quickly moved towards war-readiness. The interview explores the psychological and societal mechanisms behind this phenomenon.
Key facts
- Rainer Mausfeld is a psychologist and critic of Western opinion-making.
- He co-signed a peace manifesto in 2023 with Alice Schwarzer and Sahra Wagenknecht.
- The interview is published in der Freitag.
- Mausfeld argues that almost no one personally wants war.
- The Ukraine war has intensified the discourse on pacifism.
- Critics of rearmament are often labeled as naive or 'Putin sympathizers'.
- Prominent figures like Alice Schwarzer, Ilija Trojanow, and Mithu Sanyal have spoken out critically.
- Mausfeld questions why German society is quickly driven to war-readiness.
Entities
Artists
- Rainer Mausfeld
- Alice Schwarzer
- Ilija Trojanow
- Mithu Sanyal
- Sahra Wagenknecht
Institutions
- der Freitag