The Group Mind: A Sketch of the Principles of Collective Psychology: With Some Attempt to Apply Them to the Interpretation of National Life and CharacterMcDougall, William
Science
The Group Mind: A Sketch of the Principles of Collective Psychology: With Some Attempt to Apply Them to the Interpretation of National Life and Character
McDougall, William
Ethnopsychology; National characteristics; Social psychology
It is interesting to note that among the Celtic populations of the
British Isles the same features have been clearly displayed. We see
among them the clan-system with its dual ownership of the soil, which
has been perpetuated in Ireland to the present day and has received more
formal and legal recognition from the British government in its recent
legislation. We see the strong clannish spirit and relative lack of
independence. These qualities are clearly shown by the Celtic Irish,
even when they have been compelled by necessity to emigrate to America.
There they are not found to be pioneers on the frontiers of
civilisation, but rather remain herded together in clannish communities
in the cities of the eastern states, where they create such powerful
unofficial associations as ‘Tammany Hall.’
Demolins’ account of the genesis of the spirit of independence and
enterprise of the Anglo-Saxons is still more interesting and seductive.
He supposes that their ancestors also came originally in very remote
times from the Eurasian steppes; but that is a disputable point and
forms no essential part of his argument. They settled in prehistoric
times around the coasts of the Baltic and the North Sea, especially in
Scandinavia. And the physical peculiarities of this region impressed
upon their descendants the qualities which have enabled them to play a
leading part in the destruction of the Roman power and in the
development of the civilisation of modern Europe, and which have
established them in almost every part of the world as a dominant race,
increasing in power and numbers at the expense of other peoples.
What, then, are these physical conditions?
Scandinavia is a mass of barren mountains coming down in almost all
parts abruptly to the sea. Its coast line is indented by innumerable
fiords and bordered by thousands of small islands; and the sea which
washes these coasts is warmed by the Gulf Stream. This sea, owing to its
warmth and to the existence of a great bank which lies near the surface
and runs parallel to the coast line, is extremely rich in fish. Hence,
the Nordic tribes who settled in Scandinavia inevitably became a
sea-faring folk, spreading slowly along the coasts in small boats,
supporting themselves in large part upon the fish which they caught in
the sea; for the land is barren, while the sea offers ideal conditions
for fishing in small boats. But, unlike the herds of pastoral peoples,
sea-fishing does not provide all the necessities of a simple life. It
must be combined with agriculture. Hence, the ancient Northmen became a
race of hardy seafarers who at the same time practised agriculture.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account