The Love for Authoritarianism - The Dark Side of Men
Democracy is fighting a rearward battle. Even in previously stable democracies people have a tendency to vote for persons or parties who have strong authoritarian tendencies and goals.
Why?
🧵 1/x
P.S.: Read to end for fun
Democracy is fighting a rearward battle. Even in previously stable democracies people have a tendency to vote for persons or parties who have strong authoritarian tendencies and goals.
Why?
🧵 1/x
P.S.: Read to end for fun
Let´s start with the obvious:
1) Distrust in Democratic Institutions
Many feel that existing democratic institutions are corrupt, ineffective, or dominated by elites.
Anti-democratic parties often present themselves as the only force willing to “clean up the system.” ⬇️
1) Distrust in Democratic Institutions
Many feel that existing democratic institutions are corrupt, ineffective, or dominated by elites.
Anti-democratic parties often present themselves as the only force willing to “clean up the system.” ⬇️
2) Desire for Strong Leadership
In times of crisis some prefer strong, decisive leaders over slow, consensus-driven processes.
Democracy’s compromises can feel like weakness, while authoritarian leaders promise quick, bold solutions.⬇️
In times of crisis some prefer strong, decisive leaders over slow, consensus-driven processes.
Democracy’s compromises can feel like weakness, while authoritarian leaders promise quick, bold solutions.⬇️
3) Cultural Backlash
Rapid social changes (immigration, gender eq., LGBTQ+, globalization) can leave parts of the population feeling disoriented or left behind.
Anti-democratic parties often frame themselves as protectors of “traditional values” against liberal elites.⬇️
Rapid social changes (immigration, gender eq., LGBTQ+, globalization) can leave parts of the population feeling disoriented or left behind.
Anti-democratic parties often frame themselves as protectors of “traditional values” against liberal elites.⬇️
4) Economic Anxiety
When inequality rises or jobs are lost due to globalization or automation, people may blame democratic governments for failing to protect them.
Anti-democratic movements often promise protectionist or nationalist economic policies. ⬇️
When inequality rises or jobs are lost due to globalization or automation, people may blame democratic governments for failing to protect them.
Anti-democratic movements often promise protectionist or nationalist economic policies. ⬇️
5) Fear and Scapegoating
Authoritarian and anti-democratic leaders exploit fear (of crime, terrorism, ethnic minorities, immigrants) to justify eroding freedoms.
By offering clear scapegoats, they create a sense of control in uncertain times. ⬇️
Authoritarian and anti-democratic leaders exploit fear (of crime, terrorism, ethnic minorities, immigrants) to justify eroding freedoms.
By offering clear scapegoats, they create a sense of control in uncertain times. ⬇️
6) Polarization and Partisan Loyalty
Once societies become highly polarized, people may support “their side” no matter what—overlooking anti-democratic tendencies simply to defeat their political opponents.
“Yes, they’re extreme, but at least they’re on my team.” ⬇️
Once societies become highly polarized, people may support “their side” no matter what—overlooking anti-democratic tendencies simply to defeat their political opponents.
“Yes, they’re extreme, but at least they’re on my team.” ⬇️
7) Charismatic Populism
Anti-democratic leaders often use populist rhetoric: “I represent the people against corrupt elites.”
This framing can make attacks on independent courts, media, or elections seem like attacks on corrupt gatekeepers rather than on democracy itself. ⬇️
Anti-democratic leaders often use populist rhetoric: “I represent the people against corrupt elites.”
This framing can make attacks on independent courts, media, or elections seem like attacks on corrupt gatekeepers rather than on democracy itself. ⬇️
8) Belief That Democracy Can Be Suspended Temporarily
Some voters believe that a period of “tough rule” is necessary to fix deep problems, expecting democracy to return afterward.
History shows that authoritarian powers are rarely eager to give up control once gained.⬇️
Some voters believe that a period of “tough rule” is necessary to fix deep problems, expecting democracy to return afterward.
History shows that authoritarian powers are rarely eager to give up control once gained.⬇️
9) Misinformation and Media Control
Disinformation campaigns can make people underestimate the dangers of anti-democratic policies.
State-controlled or partisan media can frame opposition as traitorous, making the erosion of democracy seem justified. ⬇️
Disinformation campaigns can make people underestimate the dangers of anti-democratic policies.
State-controlled or partisan media can frame opposition as traitorous, making the erosion of democracy seem justified. ⬇️
Now that we are behind the textbook reasons let´s dive into the Dark Side of Men.
All those above reasons are valid but...but they are also sugarcoating voters behaviour by giving "rational" reasons why people opt for giving power to outright authoritarian parties. ⬇️
All those above reasons are valid but...but they are also sugarcoating voters behaviour by giving "rational" reasons why people opt for giving power to outright authoritarian parties. ⬇️
10) The Winning Side
Many don´t care if others get hurt or killed as long as they are not the target. Being on the winning side, together with their fellow compatriots gives them security and strengh. ⬇️
Many don´t care if others get hurt or killed as long as they are not the target. Being on the winning side, together with their fellow compatriots gives them security and strengh. ⬇️
As history is not shy of reminding us "Being on The Winning Side" doesn´t play out for most people. In authoritarian regimes most people suffer or at least only get the scraps. If they complain they get nice vacations in remote and romantic locations, often never to return. ⬇️
It nevertheless seems that people always believe that it will play out differently this time. It won´t. People will end up in camps, will be shredded to pieces in SMOs, will be beaten to death by those who actually are on the "Winning Side." When dictatorships fall ⬇️
those too will end up in prison or on the gallows. Before that happens many people have to die. But please go ahead. This time, this time it will work out.
If you have read this far, I am quite certain, you actually know that... ⬇️
If you have read this far, I am quite certain, you actually know that... ⬇️
11) Make Others Suffer
Many people do want to see others suffer. They want to see people suffer who they think slighted them in any way. They want them to suffer for their real or percieved wrongdoings. Of course populists stir people in this directions but never assume ⬇️
Many people do want to see others suffer. They want to see people suffer who they think slighted them in any way. They want them to suffer for their real or percieved wrongdoings. Of course populists stir people in this directions but never assume ⬇️
that this is not something that every single one of us is capable of. Not to hate, to not be a racist, to not hate someone because of their religion requires active thinking. It requires you to override basic instincts. Populists do their best to ease this burden for you. ⬇️
If you are far-right, leftist, think that other religions are garbage, other people are beneath you, just hate everyone etc.
If you have the urge to vote for parties that support those feelings: Welcome to our future hell. Everyone will suffer.
Have fun!
If you have the urge to vote for parties that support those feelings: Welcome to our future hell. Everyone will suffer.
Have fun!
Oh. And one last thing: Nobody wants to lose something or give something away. May the world go to shambles as long as my life goes on uninhibited...
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
