Boris Cyrulnik warns that societies turning to fanatics risk authoritarian collapse
Neuropsychiatrist Boris Cyrulnik argues that societies facing trauma often choose either status-quo, a strongman, or a rebirth, and warns that Europe is drifting toward the latter two.
In a candid interview, Holocaust survivor and resilience expert Boris Cyrulnik described three routes societies take after a disaster: maintaining the status quo, embracing a strongman who claims to know the solution, or pursuing a collective rebirth. He warned that Europe is increasingly vulnerable to the authoritarian option, pointing to leaders like Donald Trump, Jair Bolsonaro, Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella as contemporary examples.
Drawing on his work with Emmanuel Macron’s 1,000 Days Committee, Cyrulnik stressed the critical role of the first 1,000 days of life, especially sustained parental contact, in shaping emotional stability and preventing aggression. He also criticized the misuse of the term “resilience,” highlighted the rise of anxiety and violence among youth, and cautioned against excessive screen exposure for children. Finally, he argued that strong family and community bonds are the antidote to the appeal of dictatorial politics.
Why it matters
Understanding how trauma fuels authoritarianism helps societies protect democratic values and child development.
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