Believing that society is breaking down increases the desire for authoritarianism

What is it about?

Why do so many people support authoritarian leaders? Our paper shows that one explanation is anomie: the perception that society is breaking down. When people experience anomie, when they feel that society lacks morality, cohesion, and functional leadership, they are more likely to submit to a "strong", authoritarian leader, even if that leader threatens to break democratic rules. We also show why this is the case: Anomie leads to a sense that one cannot influence the political process, in other words, a lack of political control. This pervasive feeling of uncontrollability makes people question whether they understand the political world, leading to a sense of meaninglessness, confusion, or, in other words, political uncertainty. This uncertainty increases support for authoritarianism. Submitting to authoritarian leadership may mean giving up freedom, but it also promises psychological relief from uncertainty: Authoritarian regimes provide clear hierarchies, social rules, and the guidance of a "strong leader". Taken together, these potential psychological benefits may lead individuals to voluntarily trade freedom for authoritarianism.

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Photo by János Szüdi on Unsplash

Photo by János Szüdi on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Understanding the precise psychological mechanisms that explain support for authoritarianism can help practitioners (e.g., politicians, activists, or NGOs) develop more effective measures to protect democracy. For example, our results indicate that political uncertainty can directly lead to support for authoritarianism. This may mean that authoritarianism can be effectively countered by measures that reduce or help people cope with their feelings of uncertainty, for example, by providing meaning and purpose. This may be by clarifying "the why" of political actions, explaining the sense of policies, or emphasizing the values that guide political decisions.

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