This article opened with a brief review of the DWP in California, and then moved on to consider the CWI in Britain. It is clear that the vices of cultism were much more pronounced in the former case. Activity levels were greater, the arbitrary power of the leaders more entrenched, a cult of confession much more widely practiced, and the overall harm inflicted on members all the greater. Left-wing activists, in common with all those interested in movements that set themselves ambitious goals of social, moral, or commercial regeneration, need to temper enthusiasm for change with a stronger awareness of the techniques of social influence and a greater skepticism toward totalistic philosophies of social change. Without such an approach, individuals face lifelong disillusion with any form of political action.
Cults prey on our aversion to uncertainty.
Yet, in reality, they only illuminate the darkness with burnt-out candles. The disillusionment they cause itself becomes an enormous waste of democratic energy. In learning from organizations such as the CWI, it will be possible to avoid such a fate and strengthen people's willingness to engage in political action that genuinely liberates their thinking and thereby contributes to social, economic, and political growth and change in our society. A conference for scholars and policy makers. The theory of cognitive dissonance.