The nature of collective movements: the hidden second force

While C. G. Jung postulated a nonpersonal, collective layer within psychic structure, it is often overlooked that he came to this conclusion from studying the effects of the content of this layer on human perception. Few other scientists have grasped the significance of Jung's point that energy from the collective layer has the power to influence, alter, or color human perception. This paper attempts to apply Jung's discovery to better understand the processes involved in collective movements when they affect considerable numbers of people. It is suggested that powerful collective movements have two sources of energy, one is the conscious aims of collective movements, while another, encompassing activated collective substance represents nonconscious contents. It is suggested that the nonconscious current acts remarkably similar to psychic forces that empower obsessions. The feminist movement is examined through these postulates as one of the powerful collective movements in today's world.