ARE WE POLITICAL HOSTAGES?🔏

IS HUMANITY SUFFERING FROM COLLECTIVE STOCKHOLM SYNDROME?

In an age where political landscapes shift at an alarming rate, the concept of democracy seems more fragile than ever. Across Europe, we are witnessing troubling trends - censorship on the rise, election results being disregarded, and political leaders breaking every promise they make. Meanwhile, the public, instead of rebelling, appears to comply, even defend those who betray them.

It begs the question: Are we political hostages? And worse, are we collectively suffering from Stockholm Syndrome, psychologically aligning with those who strip us of our freedoms?

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Understanding Stockholm Syndrome in a Political Context

Stockholm Syndrome, a psychological phenomenon where hostages develop positive feelings toward their captors, was first observed in a 1973 Swedish bank robbery. The captives, despite being threatened, began defending their abductors.

Now, apply this to modern politics. Governments that were meant to serve the people are instead stripping them of their freedoms, increasing surveillance, curtailing free speech, and undermining national sovereignty. And yet, many citizens continue to justify, rationalise, or even applaud these actions. Why? Because, like hostages, they have been conditioned to see their captors as protectors rather than oppressors.

The European Political Landscape: A Dangerous Shift

The trajectory of the European Union has long been shifting towards centralisation, with increasing efforts to consolidate power into the hands of unelected bureaucrats. The latest push toward a European government raises the alarming question: Are nation-states being phased out?

Consider the Romanian elections, where results were annulled in a shocking blow to democratic process. Or Germany, where Friedrich Merz’s party won but immediately abandoned its promises, leading to widespread disillusionment. Instead of outrage, we see compliance, resignation, or at best, mild protest. It’s as if the electorate, despite the betrayal, is unwilling or unable to hold its leaders accountable.

In many ways, this reflects the way hostages come to accept their captors’ control. Initially, there is resistance, but over time, fear, confusion, and psychological manipulation erode the will to fight back. Just as an abused prisoner may eventually see their captor as their only means of survival, so too do many citizens begin to see their governments - despite their increasing authoritarianism - as their only option for stability.

The Rise of Censorship and the Fall of Free Speech

History has shown that the suppression of free speech is a telltale sign of an authoritarian shift. Yet, in many European nations, censorship has become normalised under the guise of “protecting democracy” or combating “misinformation.”

Social media platforms silence dissenting voices. Independent journalists face persecution. Opinions that challenge the official narrative are branded as extremist. If you dare to question policies, you are swiftly labeled as a conspiracy theorist, a radical, or worse.

This suppression creates a chilling effect, leading people to self-censor out of fear. What is most troubling, however, is how many people justify this censorship, arguing that it is necessary for the “greater good.” This again mirrors Stockholm Syndrome, where hostages come to believe that their captors are acting in their best interest, even as they strip away their autonomy.

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The Complacency of the Masses: Why Don’t We Resist?

One might expect widespread resistance in response to these growing threats to freedom. Instead, what we see is apathy, justification, and even defense of the oppressors. Why?

1. Fear and Dependence

Just as hostages fear punishment, citizens fear economic instability, social exclusion, or legal repercussions for resisting their political captors. Governments exploit crises—whether economic, health-related, or geopolitical to justify more control, and citizens, in a state of fear, comply rather than challenge.

2. Normalisation of Oppression

Restrictions rarely appear overnight. They are introduced gradually, in ways that seem reasonable at first. Whether it’s increased surveillance “to protect against crime” or censorship “to prevent misinformation,” each step feels minor. By the time people realise what’s happened, the system is fully entrenched.

A key example of this is how COVID-19 measures conditioned people to accept increasing restrictions. Lockdowns, curfews, and travel bans, initially justified as emergency measures, became normalised forms of control. People became accustomed to being told when they could leave their homes, who they could see, and what they could say. As a result, when new restrictions on free speech or political participation are introduced, many no longer question them because they have already been trained to comply.

3. Divide and Conquer

Governments and media deliberately polarise society, keeping citizens fighting among themselves rather than uniting against their real oppressors. The more divided a society is - left vs. right, vaccinated vs. unvaccinated, nationalists vs. globalists - the less likely it is to rise against a common enemy.

4. Learned Helplessness

Repeated betrayals lead to a state of learned helplessness, where people begin to believe resistance is futile. They rationalise broken promises, telling themselves, “It’s just how politics work,” rather than demanding better.

Political Hostage Situations: Historical Parallels

If we look at history, we see that authoritarian regimes have always relied on a similar pattern: gain trust, slowly consolidate power, create crises to justify further control, and manipulate the masses into compliance. But it always begins with restricting and then abolishing the freedom of speech.

• Soviet Union: Citizens were told they were working towards a utopia, even as their freedoms disappeared.

• Nazi Germany: Propaganda convinced people to support increasingly totalitarian policies.

• Eastern Europe under Communism: The public was expected to celebrate their oppression as progress.

Today’s Europe is not yet at this level, but the warning signs are impossible to ignore. The more we accept, the further the goalposts shift.

Breaking Free: What Can Be Done?

Recognising the problem is the first step. If we are indeed political hostages suffering from Stockholm Syndrome, the only way forward is a conscious effort to reclaim our autonomy. This means:

1. Holding Politicians Accountable

Politicians have been getting away with deception for too long because we allow it. We must stop treating broken promises as normal. The moment a leader betrays their electorate, they must be pressured to resign or face consequences. I know, easier said than done, especially when you feel that all institutions have been compromised.

2. Defending Free Speech

Free speech is the bedrock of democracy. Without it, we cannot challenge corruption. Support independent media, call out censorship, and refuse to let fear dictate your ability to speak freely.

3. Rejecting Fear-Based Control

Politicians thrive on crises. The more fearful people are, the more power they are willing to hand over. Instead of reacting with panic, we must assess crises rationally and recognise when they are being exploited for political gain.

4. Uniting Beyond Political Divisions

The ruling class benefits from division. People of all political backgrounds must recognise that their freedoms are at stake and work together. The moment we stop fighting each other and start focusing on those in power, real change can happen.

5. Taking Personal Responsibility

Change does not come from waiting for a hero. It comes from individuals taking action, educating themselves, spreading awareness, supporting alternative media, and demanding better governance.

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Are We Too Late?

I truly believe we are at a turning point in history. The question is: Will we continue to defend and comply with those who undermine our freedoms, or will we recognise our captivity and fight to reclaim our rights?

Stockholm Syndrome in politics is real, but it is not irreversible. We can break free, but only if we are willing to acknowledge the reality of our situation and take the necessary steps to restore true democracy.

As humanity appears to be suffering from Stockholm Syndrome, many of our political leaders seem to be afflicted by another troubling psychological phenomenon: the Dunning-Kruger Effect. This cognitive bias leads individuals with low ability or knowledge in a domain to overestimate their competence. In other words, they are too incompetent to recognize their own incompetence. This is particularly dangerous when such individuals hold power. Across various left-leaning governments in Europe, we observe this effect in action—leaders who make sweeping, damaging decisions with unwavering confidence, all while dismissing expertise, common sense, or dissenting views. The result? Policies that fail spectacularly, from misguided energy strategies to immigration mismanagement, all implemented with the arrogance of those who believe they know best—despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary.

Democracy does not die with a bang but with complacency. And in the end, a hostage’s survival depends on recognising the captor for what they truly are.

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🎶My Song for you

I chose Paolo Conte with Sparring Partner - I love this and I hope you enjoy it just as much…

For more good music, go to this Spotify playlist where you can find all the songs from the Change & Evolve Letters!

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📚My Poem for you

Is by Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1809—1892)

Of Old Sat Freedom on the Heights

Of old sat Freedom on the heights,
The thunders breaking at her feet:
Above her shook the starry lights:
She heard the torrents meet.

There in her place she did rejoice,
Self-gather'd in her prophet-mind,
But fragments of her mighty voice
Came rolling on the wind.

Then stept she down thro' town and field
To mingle with the human race,
And part by part to men reveal'd
The fulness of her face—

Grave mother of majestic works,
From her isle-altar gazing down,
Who, God-like, grasps the triple forks,
And, King-like, wears the crown:

Her open eyes desire the truth.
The wisdom of a thousand years
Is in them. May perpetual youth
Keep dry their light from tears;

That her fair form may stand and shine,
Make bright our days and light our dreams,
Turning to scorn with lips divine
The falsehood of extremes!

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👀Impression

Spock 🖖🏽 and Hippo🦛, enjoying the sun without a care in the world…

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What is your take on this? Are we political hostages suffering from Stockholm Syndrom?

Let me know your thoughts in the comments, leave a ❤️ or leave a message. I always love hearing from you. Wishing you a sunny weekend wherever you are.

Yours

Tanja 🤗

PS. You can now also find my podcast on Spotify

Change & Evolve and feel free to get in touch