Todd McGowan argues that psychoanalysis opposes utopia (the good or perfect place), as an ideal society would eliminate the central antagonism between individual and society, rendering therapy unnecessary as we would be untroubled.
Yet, many attempt to “therapize” society into a utopia. By normalizing discontent (shifting perspective to become comfortable with your distance from a good place), we foster empathy and wisdom, seeking a communal collective that labors to tolerate dysfunction.
However, the structural, historical inversion of “the good place” reasserts itself: materialist corruption perpetuates alienation (Marx), ensuring psychoanalysis remains essential for populace pacification.
In short, therapy cannot create utopia—only structural transformation can eliminate the need for therapy.