How Authoritarianism Becomes Appealing (For Some)

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

Across the political spectrum, there are concerns and predictions that the US government could become authoritarian. Liberals see former President Donald Trump as the leading perpetrator of creating an authoritarian state. Organizations backing him, such as the conservative Heritage Foundation, which released Project 2025, reinforce this perception. Trump claimed not to know who was behind Project 2025; however, a CNN review found that at least 140 people who worked in his presidential administration were involved. The 900-page document details how the federal government’s “deep state” must be destroyed in a new Trump Administration.

Liberals spanning the country, from the West Coast to the East Coast, fear a possible authoritarian future. From the heartland, the Nebraska Examiner contributor professor Steve Corbin writes in his piece, “Authoritarian rule threatens America’s democracy,” that 147 congressional Republicans voting to overturn the 2020 election results amounted to authoritarianism in action.

Veteran national political columnist Dick Polman, in the Progressive Populist, describes today’s political fight as between a pro-democracy party and an authoritarian cult. Ralph Nader accuses US Supreme Court Chief Justice Roberts and his “clique” of five like-minded Supreme Court judges as authoritarians who re-installed the doctrine of “The King Can Do No Wrong.”

Because Trump ignited the MAGA movement, he is viewed as the embodiment of authoritarian behavior. Even mild-spoken President Joe Biden remarked at a Maryland fundraiser that the MAGA philosophy was “semi-fascism.” Consequently, liberal commentary interprets Trump’s language and actions as displaying approval for authoritarian government leaders.

https://www.postalley.org/2024/08/29/how-authoritarianism-becomes-appealing-for-some/

[CousinIT]

1. MY MAGA FAMILY want a dictator, not a POTUS. They want women separated ...

... from their bodily rights, their rights to make healthcare choices, and their jobs outside a home or marriage. They want the Constitution replaced with their Taliban-like interpretation of their Bible, and they want LGBTQ people stripped of all humanity and shoved underground to die. They want all people of color back under their thumb and relegated to second-class humans, at best. At the same time, the best opportunities, most money, and generational wealth are reserved for white conservatives only.

They think colleges, businesses, and everyone can and should "just refuse" to serve LGBTQ people, students, and customers; that women and girls can "just live with" being raped and forced to endure pregnancies they never asked for, do not want, or that will kill them; that they can just "live" with being in abusive marriages "for the kids" -- even while it ruins every life in that household.

These are very ignorant people. They are a loud, drum-beating, knuckle-dragging, chest-beating, screaming minority who want ANY MEANS used to impose THEIR WILL on everyone else in America. They don't care how it's done.

[Blue Owl]

2. One wonders.....

There’s already countries like that already set up and running (like Russia). Why can’t they just move there and let us have our American democracy ?

[CousinIT]

3. Honestly, I wish they would. n/t

[Skittles]

6. so sorry you have to deal with that

I have often thought that sometimes family is very overrated.

[EverHopeful]

4. I highly recommend The Authoritarians by Dr. Bob Altemeyer

You can get a free copy here:

https://theauthoritarians.org/

And there are newer books and updates at the website.

[birdographer]

5. I highly recommend another of his books

Authoritarian Nightmare by John Dean and Bob Altemeyer.

Not free, but a very interesting read if, like me, you struggle to understand what makes people possibly support trump. Lays it out in clear language (not dry textbook stuff). I understand it now. And recommend this book!

[prodigitalson]

7. thanks, I'm reading it now

I have read bits of it quoted elsewhere over the years, thanks for the whole thing

[keep_left]

8. There are two other works which also have been recommended over the years.

In fact, I just did so today: The True Believer (Eric Hoffer, 1951) and Escape From Freedom (Erich Fromm, 1941).

https://democraticunderground.com/100219435399#post6