The Group Dimension: Capitalism, Group Analysis, and the World Yet to Come

The Group Dimension presents a thorough exploration of the history and theory of the group dimension, particularly in the context of modern capitalist society.

The book traces the development of capitalism from feudalism, where the first polis groups can be identified, and describes the growth of the power of the state prescribed by John Maynard Keynes to form neoliberalism. Bacha then explores the deep history of human groups, examines how our brains are built for and by multibody interactions and understandings, and provides an overview of our knowledge of groups, building on findings from group analysis. The book concludes by exploring how an understanding of groups, their facilitation and their consciousness redefines current individualistic and autistic ’freedom’, to build the new world through dialogue.

The Group Dimension will be essential reading for anyone involved in groups, as practitioners or clients. It will also be of interest to readers looking to learn more about groups in the context of modern politics, social and liberation movements.

Claire Bacha was born in Chicago in 1945 and studied anthropology and sociology, with postgraduate degrees in Chile and Brazil. Her doctorate was on finance capitalism at Manchester University, UK. She trained as a psychoanalyst and was a senior Group Analyst in Manchester, working until shortly before she died in 2023.