I talked to @news.dw.com about the protests in Los Angeles and why authoritarian figures like Donald Trump like to spread the narrative of societal collapse.

In response, individuals show heightened support for authoritarianism, which promises a sense of predictability, structure, and meaning by providing a belief system with a rigid worldview, clear social rules, and the guidance of a ‘strong leader’. (4/4)

Read more:

doi.org/10.1037/pspi0000483

Anomie leads to a pervasive feeling that one cannot influence the political process or achieve one’s political goals, i.e., a lack of political control. This increases the perception that one can neither understand nor predict political affairs, thus causing political uncertainty. (3/4)

When people feel that society lacks morality, cohesion, and functional leadership (i.e., anomie), they are more likely to desire a ‘strong’, authoritarian leader.

We also show why this is the case:

(2/4)

Chances are that you have been wondering lately why people support authoritarian leaders.

One explanation, our new paper in JPSP suggests, is anomie: The perception that society is breaking down.

doi.org/10.1037/pspi0000483

🧵(1/4)

Hi Mark, could you please add me, too? Thank you!

Hi, would you mind adding me as well? Thank you!

Ich hatte ein gutes Gespräch mit Maria Stöhr von @spiegelmagazin.bsky.social über unsere Forschung zu Armut, Scham und der Sehnsucht nach einem "starken Führer":

www.spiegel.de/ausland/bedr...