Group, Vol. 24, No. 1, 2000 From Psychoanalysis to a Post-Foulkesian Group Analysis Farhad Dalal 1,2 This paper explores the relationship between individual psychoanalytic theory and that of Foulkesian group analytic theory. It traces some of the philosophical and metaphysical assumptions behind orthodox psychoanalytic theory, and discusses its implications for group analytic theory. The paper then describes some aspects of a post-Foulkesian group analytic theory which challenge these assumptions and argues for the ‘socio-political’ to be given a constitutive role in the construction of the psyche. KEY WORDS: group-analysis; psychoanalysis; philosophy; social; race; colour. The fact that group analysis came onto the stage some 50 years after the advent of psychoanalysis has meant that it has always been in its shadow, and always somewhat in awe of it. The relationship between the two being not unlike that between two siblings with the younger sibling out to impress the older and stay in his good books by emulation. A consequence of this is that group analytic thinking, in line with that of S. H. Foulkes (the father of group analysis) has tended to stay close to the theory born out of the psychoanalysis of individuals. At one level this is understandable because of the power relations between the two disciplines. At another level this is curious because the psychoanalytic view of groups is not at all a positive one. I will explain. As is well known, psychoanalytic methodology focuses on the internal world of individuals. This is because it draws its metapsychology from a philosophical tradition that can broadly be traced from Plato, through the Enlightenment, to the Romantics, and from thence to Freud. In this world view there are two levels, the 1 Supervisor and Training Group-Analyst for the Institute of Group Analysis, London. In private practice as a member of The North East London Psychotherapy and Counselling Association and the Group Analytic Network. 2 Correspondence should be directed to Farhad Dalal, 34 Kyverdale Road, Stoke Newington, London N16 7AH, England. 59 0362-4021/00/0300-0059$18.00/1 C  2000 Eastern Group Psychotherapy Society