Surplus Powerlessness:: The Psychodynamics of Everyday Life

by Michael Lerner

"Argues that people make themselves more powerless than they need to be, and that this attitude ... undermines one's personal effectiveness in both love and work and negates one's willingness to pursue any large-scale visions of political or social change." -- Shofar

Genres: Psychology

418 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1979

About the author

Michael Lerner was an American political activist, the editor of Tikkun, a progressive Jewish interfaith magazine based in Berkeley, California, and the rabbi of Beyt Tikkun Synagogue in Berkeley.

Reviews

[Matthew Lederman · Rating 2 out of 5]

A book whose central idea, that we make ourselves more powerless than we need to be, and that societal structure, i.e. work, politics and even family, encourages this powerlessness, has enormous potential. Unfortunately, Lerner's attempt to explain all the symptoms and the cures is unfocused, and hindered by his own ideological blindspots.

It's a shame because he really hits on some interesting concepts, and his ideas for more positive work and educational spaces are worth investigating. Some of his ideas are dated (it was published in the late 80's), but I think many of his arguments could still be valid today. But even this reader, who sympathizes with his arguments and comes from an ideological standpoint not far removed from his, came away uninterested and unmoved. For a book that aims to encourage the starts of a social movement, it is far from inspiring.

[Bronwen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ended up skim reading some of this. It pretty much had one key idea which was then explained over and over again. The idea is that we actually have more power than we choose to use because societal systems are set up that way. The author argues that even activists who challenge the status quo don't really believe that they will win and constantly undermine themselves. He identifies compassion as the answer. And lots of groups where people can talk to each other about the stress of work, relationships, capitalism etc. Hmmm.

[Geoffrey Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best part of this book for me is where the author speaks briefly what life was like proir to industrial revolution. Where families lived closer together and didn't have TV sets, therefore they had more intimacy and they supported each other.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was published in 1986, but I think it's still as relevant today. But, I don't think it's any more widely read now than it was back then. That's a shame, because there are a lot of really interesting and important concepts in this book. It can get a little frustrating because Lerner doesn't cite sources, and has a propensity for talking really generally. I think there was one case study mentioned in the entire book. Anyway, depending on who you are, you'll probably get something different out of the book. What was most valuable to me was the discussion of workplace stress, as well as the connections between that stress and our romantic relationships. For more on that last point, as well as some passages from the book, you can check out my blog here:
http://theonepercentclub.blogspot.com...

[Nikki Morse · Rating 3 out of 5]

Surplus powerlessness has some really unique, interesting ideas about the impact of work, the role of groups in undermining patterns of self-blame, and about the necessity of anger targeted and expressed "correctly". Unfortunately, Michael Lerner falls prey to some deep megalomania that undermines his very real contributions. The book has no references and few case studies, and essentially argues that everyone should read his book and then do as he says. As much as I learned, I've gotta say, no thanks.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

A work of genius.

Lerner's book is and will be seen in the future as a central classic of American political philosophy. It emerges from Lerner's multidisciplinary understandings (political theory, psychology, family dynamics) of American politics, his first-hand experience of political activism, and his research as a psychotherapist.

Lerner lays bare the reasons for the failures of Left and progressive forces to effect social change, charging them with ignoring the universal human need for personal recognition, meaningful work, and transcendence.

[Dayna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I never really finished the book...but I'm not exactly currently reading...Social psychology.