Washington Post: A lot of Americans embrace Trump's authoritarianism

[Tom of Temecula]

Last month, PRRI released the results of its annual American Values Survey. The pollsters asked respondents a slew of questions measuring their views of the country and its politics in the moment. Included among the questions was one that specifically addressed the question of authoritarianism: Did they think that things in the U.S. had gone so far off track that we need a leader who would break rules in order to fix the country’s direction?

About 2 in 5 respondents said they did. That included nearly half of Republicans.

Back in early 2016, political scientist and consultant Matthew MacWilliams identified support for authoritarian tendencies as a key indicator of support for Trump among Republican primary voters. Before the 2020 election, he revisited the idea, noting that “approximately 18 percent of Americans are highly disposed to authoritarianism, according to their answers to four simple survey questions used by social scientists to estimate this disposition.”

Those questions addressed several different components of authoritarian sympathy, MacWilliams explained. One asked a question similar to PRRI’s, about willingness to let a “strong leader” do what he or she wants. Another centered on perceptions of the media. A third focused on opposition to diversity.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/11/10/lot-americans-embrace-trumps-authoritarianism/

[onecaliberal]

1. The overwhelming majority don't. That is partly why cons are losing everything.

[leftstreet]

3. +1

[Cosmocat]

15. That is not the case at all

Rs have a clear advantage in state governorships and state houses, have more congressmen and if it where today would have the white house.

The reasons for that is that while the majority may not WANT authoritarianism, a good portion of those that in theory don't want it are more than willing to stand aside and let it happen, while those that want it are united together to get it.

Being honest, it is not even a coin flip at this point ....

[onecaliberal]

23. Nope. We beat them in ruby red places with issues that matter.

I’m just looking at what actually has happened in special elections and primaries. We picked up mayor races and statehouses. 7 red states have also rejected the attempts to control their lives and healthcare. If you don’t think women are mad or will forget. Hold my beer.

[JohnSJ]

2. F**k it. This country has completely lost it's moral compass, and I am losing hope that it

can even be saved

[Cosmocat]

9. It almost assuredly is going to get a lot worse

it just is a matter how how bad it gets.

[republianmushroom]

4. Then a lot of American's are flat ass stupid !

[pandr32]

6. That they are.

They don't seem to understand that their wish to keep others under control will circle back to hobble them.

[Cosmocat]

10. Correct

they have no ability to play it out long term.

Hate needs fed.

While the focus now is on who they hate, when they get what they want them to get, who is next?

[pandr32]

13. They think they are special.

[Rebl2]

12. Exactly right!

[LiberalFighter]

14. They are too stupid to realize it. They think the laws only apply to others.

[pandr32]

17. Absolutely.

[Traildogbob]

18. Happy Veterans Day.

To all the dead, wounded soldiers and their families that gave all to not let this shit happen here.
This veteran is getting fucking sick of many Americans. Thanks for my service? Fuck them.
Got a fucked up way to show it.

[republianmushroom]

21. Yup, you are correct.

[llmart]

5. Those who answered that yes, they think we need authoritarian leaders...

What they are really saying is that it's the "others" that need to be reined in. They don't realize that they'd be subject to the results of authoritarian (fascist) rule also. I can hear it now if it ever got to that point, "But I didn't think they meant this to apply to meeeeee!"

[onecaliberal]

8. 1/3 of the people who want it hate diversity. That says it all.

These people are evil and soulless.

[Cosmocat]

11. yep

nm

[gab13by13]

7. We need to start saying dictator

instead of authoritarian, for better effect and clarity.

[Rebl2]

16. I agree

Should start calling trump, authoritarian dictator trump.

[Mz Pip]

19. People love authoritarians

as long as he’s their authoritarian.

[AZSkiffyGeek]

24. I've seen plenty of authoritarian ideas put forward here

As long as Dems were doing it, it was apparently okay.

[gratuitous]

20. Sadly, we have no method of communicating the danger of such thinking

What we need is a medium, or several mediums (media?) that could communicate on a large scale, even a mass scale about the dangers of minority rule and dictatorial leadership. But what would such a thing - if it existed - be called? "Media of mass scale" is a cumbersome locution. Maybe "mass media"? Alliterative, if nothing else.

I wonder if anyone at the Washington Post has any input on how to communicate with large numbers of the public?

[dutch777]

22. People, especially the less well educated, want simple and quick answers and fixes. They ignore the complexities of....

...making changes within a large diverse country with people of differing backgrounds and world views. Our diversity gives us strength and many creative paths forward. It also gives us this problem.

[Xoan]

25. A lot more do not. /eom

[lindysalsagal]

26. Many people don't understand that ethical norms

Stabilize a representative government. They think only personalities matter.