ABSTRACT
This chapter presents the general characteristics common to psychological crowds. The organised crowds include: Heterogeneous crowds; and Homogeneous crowds. A fundamental factor, that of race, allows of a tolerably thorough differentiation of the various heterogeneous crowds. An English or an American crowd, on the contrary, sets no store on the State, and only appeals to private initiative. A French crowd lays particular weight on equality and an English crowd on liberty. The genius of the race exerts a paramount influence upon the dispositions of a crowd. Homogeneous crowds include: Sects; Castes; and Classes. The sect represents the first step in the process of organisation of homogeneous crowds. The caste represents the highest degree of organisation of which the crowd is susceptible. The middle class and the agricultural class are examples of the Classes.
