'When popular opinion is nearly unanimous, contrary thinking tends to be most profitable. The reason is that once the crowd takes a position, it creates a short- term, self- fulfilling prophecy. But when a change occurs, everyone seems to change his mind at once. In his classic work, The Crowd, Gustave Le Bon observed that 'the special characteristics of crowds are several - such as impulsiveness, an incapability to reason, the absence of judgement and of the critical spirit.'
Contents of The Crowd: A Study of the Popular Mind
Introduction:The Era of Crowds
Book 1: The Mind of Crowds
1. General Characteristics of Crowds - Psychological Law of Their Mental Unity
2. The Sentiments and Morality of Crowds
3. The Ideas, Reasoning Power, and Imagination of Crowds
4. A Religious Shape Assumed By All the Convictions of Crowds
Book 2: The Opinions and Beliefs of Crowds
1. Remote Factors of the Opinions and Beliefs of Crowds
2. The Immediate Factors of the Opinions of Crowds
3. The Leaders of Crowds and Their Means of Persuasion
4. Limitations of the Variability of the Beliefs and Opinions of Crowds
Book 3: The Classification and Description of the Different Kinds of Crowds
1. The Classification of Crowds
2. Crowds termed Criminal Crowds
3. Criminal Juries
4. Electoral Crowds
5. Parliamentary Assemblies
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