Cultic Studies Journal, Vol. 15, No. 1, 1998, page 36
6. Loading the Language
Lifton (1961) has described this as the extensive use of what he termed “the thought-
terminating cliché,” used as “interpretive short-cuts” (p. 488). Repetitive phrases are
regularly invoked to describe all situations, and prevent further analysis. Expressions such
as “bourgeois mentality” are bandied around as a signifier of something which is an ultimate
evil, in contrast to the ultimate goodness of the group‟s beliefs. Lifton describes the overall
effects thus:
For an individual person, the effect of the language of ideological totalism can be
summed up in one word: constriction. He is ...linguistically deprived and since
language is so central to all human experience, his capacities for thinking and
feeling are immensely narrowed. (p. 489)
This is observable in the CWI‟s documents, and has been widely commented on by
independent observers. The writings of CWI leaders are an anthology of clichés --“dazzling”
prospects are always said to exist in the immediate future, “colossal” opportunities to build
are identified in every situation, the years ahead are invariably referred to as “the coming
period,” the group‟s prognoses are frequently signaled by the tautological expression “we
predict in advance.” The spectacle is one of thought attempting flight, only to find, in mid-
motion, that all its moving parts have been superglued together.
In addition, the language of demonization is used to describe dissidents. Both sides in the
1991/92 split accused the other of “bending to the pressures of capitalism.” It is
inconceivable that honest differences could exist which should be debated on their merits --
they are invariably viewed as signifying the presence of alien class interests, to be engaged
in mortal combat. The language is one of all or nothing --complete agreement or absolute
separation becomes the norm.
It is also startling, in reading CWI documents over an extended period, to see how the same
catastrophist ideas are repeated over and over again, without members apparently noticing
that the predictions of 20, 30, or 50 years ago are the same as today and have yet to be
borne out. A 1996 document produced by the faction expelled from the CWI in 1992 closes
by advancing the by-now familiar prediction:
The coming period into the new millennium will be a period of convulsions for
capitalism nationally and internationally. The socialist transformation of society
will once again be on the agenda. The whole world situation is such that one
victory in an important country, would electrify the masses and lead to the
socialist transformation of the entire globe.
The impoverishment of language used by these groupings, in which historical analysis
regularly gives way to hysterical analysis, is clearly a major reason for the members‟
inability to grasp either the repetitious nature of its perspectives or the derivative nature of
its analysis. Linguistic asphyxiation leads to intellectual paralysis. By narrowing the range of
thought it also hinders falsification. Members lack the information required to compare
predictions with reality, to distinguish between evidence and assertion, and eventually to
think.
7. Doctrine over Person
Essentially, Lifton (1961) argues that historical myths are engendered by the group as a
means of reinforcing its black-and-white morality. Then,
when the myth becomes fused with the totalist sacred science, the resulting
“logic” can be so compelling and coercive that it simply replaces the realities of
individual experience ...past historical events are retrospectively altered, wholly
rewritten, or ignored, to make them consistent with the doctrinal logic. (p. 490)
6. Loading the Language
Lifton (1961) has described this as the extensive use of what he termed “the thought-
terminating cliché,” used as “interpretive short-cuts” (p. 488). Repetitive phrases are
regularly invoked to describe all situations, and prevent further analysis. Expressions such
as “bourgeois mentality” are bandied around as a signifier of something which is an ultimate
evil, in contrast to the ultimate goodness of the group‟s beliefs. Lifton describes the overall
effects thus:
For an individual person, the effect of the language of ideological totalism can be
summed up in one word: constriction. He is ...linguistically deprived and since
language is so central to all human experience, his capacities for thinking and
feeling are immensely narrowed. (p. 489)
This is observable in the CWI‟s documents, and has been widely commented on by
independent observers. The writings of CWI leaders are an anthology of clichés --“dazzling”
prospects are always said to exist in the immediate future, “colossal” opportunities to build
are identified in every situation, the years ahead are invariably referred to as “the coming
period,” the group‟s prognoses are frequently signaled by the tautological expression “we
predict in advance.” The spectacle is one of thought attempting flight, only to find, in mid-
motion, that all its moving parts have been superglued together.
In addition, the language of demonization is used to describe dissidents. Both sides in the
1991/92 split accused the other of “bending to the pressures of capitalism.” It is
inconceivable that honest differences could exist which should be debated on their merits --
they are invariably viewed as signifying the presence of alien class interests, to be engaged
in mortal combat. The language is one of all or nothing --complete agreement or absolute
separation becomes the norm.
It is also startling, in reading CWI documents over an extended period, to see how the same
catastrophist ideas are repeated over and over again, without members apparently noticing
that the predictions of 20, 30, or 50 years ago are the same as today and have yet to be
borne out. A 1996 document produced by the faction expelled from the CWI in 1992 closes
by advancing the by-now familiar prediction:
The coming period into the new millennium will be a period of convulsions for
capitalism nationally and internationally. The socialist transformation of society
will once again be on the agenda. The whole world situation is such that one
victory in an important country, would electrify the masses and lead to the
socialist transformation of the entire globe.
The impoverishment of language used by these groupings, in which historical analysis
regularly gives way to hysterical analysis, is clearly a major reason for the members‟
inability to grasp either the repetitious nature of its perspectives or the derivative nature of
its analysis. Linguistic asphyxiation leads to intellectual paralysis. By narrowing the range of
thought it also hinders falsification. Members lack the information required to compare
predictions with reality, to distinguish between evidence and assertion, and eventually to
think.
7. Doctrine over Person
Essentially, Lifton (1961) argues that historical myths are engendered by the group as a
means of reinforcing its black-and-white morality. Then,
when the myth becomes fused with the totalist sacred science, the resulting
“logic” can be so compelling and coercive that it simply replaces the realities of
individual experience ...past historical events are retrospectively altered, wholly
rewritten, or ignored, to make them consistent with the doctrinal logic. (p. 490)
