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Why Do They Defend Their Oppressors? The Psychology of the Enslaved Mind
Throughout history, people have not only tolerated their own oppression but have actively defended the very systems that keep them in chains. Whether it’s a corrupt government, a manipulative corporation, or a false narrative spun by the media, countless individuals will argue in favor of their oppressors rather than question them.
But why? Why do people rush to defend those who exploit them? Why do they mock, attack, and even fight those who try to wake them up? The answer lies deep within the psychology of the enslaved mind.
Stockholm Syndrome: When Captivity Feels Like Safety
One of the most well-documented psychological phenomena that explains this behavior is Stockholm Syndrome—a condition where captives develop positive feelings, trust, and even love for their captors. Originally coined after a 1973 bank heist in Sweden, where hostages ended up defending and siding with their kidnappers, this syndrome plays out on a much grander scale in society.
Governments, corporations, and ruling elites create crises, implement control measures, and then present themselves as saviors. People, feeling powerless, latch onto this illusion of protection rather than confront the reality of their enslavement.
Cognitive Dissonance: The Mental Trap That Keeps People Compliant
Cognitive dissonance occurs when people are faced with information that contradicts their deeply held beliefs. Rather than accept an uncomfortable truth, most people will twist logic, ignore facts, or outright attack those who challenge them.
Imagine someone who has always believed in the integrity of their government. When presented with overwhelming evidence of corruption, instead of questioning their belief, they double down—insisting that any wrongdoing is an isolated incident or just a conspiracy theory.
Why? Because admitting they’ve been lied to for years would shatter their worldview. It’s easier to attack the messenger than to acknowledge the painful truth.
The Ego: The Wall That Blocks the Truth
The ego is one of the biggest barriers to waking up. People hate being wrong. Accepting that they’ve been deceived for most of their lives means admitting they weren’t as aware, intelligent, or independent as they thought.
For many, this is too much to bear. Instead, they lash out, mock, and ridicule anyone who challenges their perception. The ego wants to protect itself at all costs, even if it means defending the very system that keeps them enslaved.
Mass Formation Psychosis: The Power of Groupthink
In times of mass fear—like wars, pandemics, or economic collapse—people seek comfort in the crowd. This phenomenon, known as Mass Formation Psychosis, makes individuals conform to the majority, no matter how illogical or oppressive the narrative becomes.
Take the COVID lockdowns. Many willingly complied, even turning against their own friends and family for questioning the restrictions. The fear-driven collective mindset became so powerful that any dissent was seen as a direct threat to public safety, rather than a reasonable challenge to oppressive policies.
Authority Worship: The “Expert” Fallacy
Humans are conditioned from birth to respect and obey authority. Schools, media, and religious institutions instill the belief that experts, leaders, and officials always know best.
This conditioning runs so deep that when people see someone in a suit, on TV, or with a fancy title, they assume their words are absolute truth. They ignore their own logic, research, and gut instinct because “the experts” said otherwise.
This is why many defended absurd rules, contradictions, and lies—because the people telling them what to do wore lab coats, suits, or had letters after their names.
Escapism: Comfort Over Truth
Many people don’t fight back simply because they don’t want to. They prefer distractions—Netflix, sports, celebrity gossip—anything but reality.
Waking up requires effort, thinking, and action. It’s easier to believe the lie and stay in comfort than to face the cold, hard truth.
And that’s exactly what the ruling class counts on.
How Do We Break the Cycle?
Now that we understand why people defend their oppressors, the next question is: How do we wake them up?
The truth is, it’s not easy. But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible.
For a deep dive into this challenge and practical ways to overcome it, check out our blog post:
🔗 Breaking the Spell: Why Waking People Up to Tyranny Feels Almost Impossible
Final Thoughts – Are You Still Asleep?
It’s time to ask yourself: Are you thinking freely, or are you just repeating what you’ve been told?
We all have a choice—keep defending our captors or break free from the mental chains. The question is: Are you ready to wake up?
💬 Drop a comment below—what’s been your experience trying to wake people up?
