Slavoj Žižek psychoanalyses the state of Israel

Episode Overview

• Slavoj Žižek argues that a new, dangerous form of authoritarianism is emerging, characterized by shamelessness and open perversion.
• He uses the alleged torture of Palestinian prisoners by Israeli guards and the subsequent public debate in Israel as a case study for this erosion of ethical barriers.
• Drawing on psychoanalytic theory from Lacan and Freud, Žižek posits that openly acting out "dirty dreams" is not liberating but is, in fact, the ultimate form of repression.
• He concludes that this "repressive desublimation"—where transgression reinforces the system—is a key feature of modern populist regimes and a profound betrayal of true desire.

Key Concepts

• New Authoritarianism: A political form characterized by open shamelessness and the public performance of perversion, which Žižek sees in movements like Zionism and "Trumpians."
• Perversion as Repression: The central psychoanalytic argument that when you openly act out your darkest, repressed fantasies (e.g., torture, violence), you are not freeing yourself. Instead, you are becoming more enslaved to your unconscious without being aware of it.
• The Loss of Shame: Žižek is horrified by the public debate in Israel where the majority openly supported the right to torture Palestinian prisoners. He sees this loss of shame as a symptom of a deep societal and moral decay.
• Repressive Desublimation: A concept from the Frankfurt School suggesting that society allows for a certain level of "liberated" transgression (like acting out perverse desires), which paradoxically serves to strengthen, not challenge, the oppressive system.

Quotes

• At 00:07 - "Nowhere you are more enslaved to your unconscious without being aware of it, than at that point. And that's what we are getting today." - Žižek explains that the open expression of "dirty dreams" is a state of maximum, unacknowledged enslavement to one's unconscious.
• At 02:12 - "Absolutely the majority thought 'we have the right to do this.' No human rights for members of Hamas..." - He describes the shocking public reaction in Israel following the release of footage showing the abuse of Palestinian prisoners, highlighting the widespread acceptance of these acts.
• At 11:33 - "Perversion is the ultimate oppression." - This quote encapsulates his core psychoanalytic thesis that perversion is not a form of liberation from societal norms but the most extreme form of oppression and repression of true desire.

Takeaways

• Recognize that political shamelessness is not a form of authenticity or honesty, but rather a dangerous tool of authoritarianism that works by eroding fundamental ethical barriers.
• Do not mistake perverse or transgressive acts for genuine liberation. Such acts can often serve as a "repressive desublimation" that reinforces the very systems of control they appear to defy.
• Understand that shame plays a crucial role in maintaining societal and ethical norms. Its public disappearance and the open debate of previously unthinkable atrocities is a critical indicator of a society in moral crisis.