Why People Love Authoritarians

Summary

This video explores the complexities of human nature, particularly why some people support authoritarian leaders like dictators. It examines two main theories: economic hardship, which leads people to favor strong, authoritarian figures for safety, and a biological predisposition toward authoritarianism, activated during times of threat. Studies show that economic uncertainty and pre-existing authoritarian tendencies drive support for such regimes. The solution involves fostering social and economic stability, and outnumbering authoritarian-minded individuals in democratic processes to maintain balance in society.

Takeaways

• 😀 Humans have the ability to cooperate in large numbers, even with strangers, but can also be brutally ruthless under certain conditions.
• 😀 Understanding why some people support dictators and authoritarianism involves two primary theories: safety and biology.
• 😀 Economic hardship and instability increase support for authoritarian leaders across different political ideologies.
• 😀 People living in economically distressed areas are more likely to favor authoritarian leadership, as a response to perceived powerlessness.
• 😀 A study from the U.S. indicates that economic uncertainty leads people to suspend democratic norms and accept unethical behavior from leaders.
• 😀 Support for authoritarian leaders is not limited to specific political views; both liberals and conservatives show similar tendencies under economic distress.
• 😀 The authoritarian mindset is a belief in strict obedience to authority and prioritizes qualities like good manners and obedience over independence and curiosity.
• 😀 A global survey from 2016 revealed that about one-third of people across 29 democracies supported authoritarianism, with that support becoming more active in times of threat.
• 😀 Economic uncertainty may not necessarily create authoritarian tendencies but can awaken a pre-existing inclination in about one-third of the population.
• 😀 Dictators often maintain a stable base of support, rarely seeing their numbers dip below a certain threshold, regardless of how poorly they govern.
• 😀 To combat these tendencies, it’s important to create economic and social stability and outnumber authoritarian supporters in elections and daily life.

Q & A

Why is human nature described as confusing in the transcript?

Human nature is described as confusing because humans have the ability to cooperate effectively with strangers on one hand, but can also be extremely brutal and ruthless in certain situations, showing a stark contradiction.

What are the two main schools of thought explaining why some people support authoritarian leaders?

The two main schools of thought are: 1) Economic and social uncertainty, which makes people seek safety through authoritarian leaders. 2) Biological predisposition, where a third of the population is inherently inclined to support authoritarianism, which is activated during times of threat.

How does economic hardship relate to support for authoritarian leaders?

Research shows that people living in areas with economic hardship are more likely to support authoritarian leaders. Economic instability triggers a sense of powerlessness, leading people to favor strong leadership for security, regardless of political ideology.

Does political ideology affect the support for authoritarian leaders in times of economic uncertainty?

No, the studies indicate that both liberals and conservatives are equally likely to support authoritarian leaders during periods of economic hardship. Political ideology does not significantly affect this tendency.

What is the 'authoritarian mindset' as described in the transcript?

The authoritarian mindset refers to a belief in absolute obedience to authority. People with this mindset prioritize qualities such as obedience and good manners over independence and curiosity, and they are more likely to support authoritarian leaders.

What role does the authoritarian mindset play in predicting support for certain political figures?

The authoritarian mindset was found to be the most significant predictor of support for Donald Trump, according to an online survey in the U.S. in 2017. People with this mindset are more likely to favor authoritarian figures who promise to enforce strong leadership.

How does the global survey conducted at the end of 2016 contribute to understanding authoritarianism?

The survey revealed that about one-third of people across 29 democracies supported authoritarianism to some degree. However, this support only became active when faced with a real or perceived threat, indicating that the authoritarian mindset lies dormant until activated.

What is the significance of a perceived threat in activating authoritarian support?

A perceived threat, whether real or imagined, triggers the latent authoritarian mindset in some people. This is why support for authoritarian leaders can rise during times of crisis or uncertainty, even if the threat is not tangible.

What are the two main strategies suggested in the transcript to combat authoritarian tendencies?

The two strategies are: 1) Supporting policies that create economic and social stability, which reduces the likelihood of authoritarian tendencies being triggered. 2) Outnumbering authoritarian supporters in democratic processes like elections to keep them in check.

How does the transcript suggest we address the issue of authoritarianism in society?

The transcript suggests addressing authoritarianism by fostering economic and social stability to reduce insecurity, and by ensuring that authoritarian-minded individuals do not dominate the political landscape by outnumbering them in democratic voting processes.