"The fact that political ideologies are tangible realities is not a proof of their vitally necessary character. The bubonic plague was an extraordinarily powerful social reality, but no one would have regarded it as vitally necessary"

In this quote, Wilhelm Reich is highlighting the danger of blindly accepting political ideologies as needed facts. He argues that just because these ideologies exist and have a tangible influence on society, it does not imply that they are naturally important or useful. To illustrate this point, he compares political ideologies to the bubonic plague, a lethal illness that had a significant effect on society. While the pester was a powerful social reality, no one would argue that it was essential or helpful. Likewise, Reich suggests that we ought to critically take a look at and question political ideologies rather than blindly accepting them as required.