Totalitarianism is not a coincidence and does not form in a vacuum. Its origin lies in the phenomenon of mass formation, a kind of collective psychosis. With detailed analyses, examples, and results from years of research, Mattias Desmet outlines the steps that lead to mass formation: from a general feeling of loneliness and a lack of social bonds and meaning arise fears and dissatisfaction, which in turn manifest as frustration and aggression. These are skillfully exploited and channeled by government representatives and mass media through specific narratives. As a result, the state's influence on the private life of the individual increasingly expands.

In addition to a crystal-clear psychological analysis and building on Hannah Arendt's foundational work "The Origins of Totalitarianism," the author also formulates a sharp critique of cultural groupthink and the culture of fear – which existed even before the pandemic but have exponentially increased with the COVID crisis. He warns of the dangers of our media consumption and our dependence on manipulative technologies. In doing so, he presents both individual and collective approaches to solutions to prevent us from voluntarily sacrificing our freedoms.