Book · 2001 · Social Science
States of Denial
Knowing about Atrocities and Suffering
Why people recommend it
States of Denial by Stanley Cohen is a sociological examination of how individuals, groups, and nations consciously or unconsciously avoid acknowledging atrocities, suffering, and uncomfortable truths. On The Ezra Klein Show in July 2026, during the episode titled A Radical Vision for Israelis and Palestinians, guest Rula Hardal recommended the book to the audience. Hardal explained that while the text is not specifically about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, she frequently argues that Israelis suffer from a severe form of collective denial and societal blindness. By drawing on Cohen's extensive research into psychological and political evasion, the speaker utilized the book to diagnose and illuminate the deep-seated mechanisms of avoidance operating within modern political landscapes and national consciousness.
Who recommended it
- Rula Hardal Recommended
Rula Hardal — 1 mention
“The second is um state of denials. Um, it's not about Israel Palestine, but I claim all the time that um the Israelis um are suffering from severe denial, collective denial and blindness.”