(Thread) How the GOP evolved from the Party of Lincoln to the Party of the KKK.
This is the final part: How the GOP went from a Conservative Party to an Authoritarian Party (1994-2016)
Part I begins here:
This is the final part: How the GOP went from a Conservative Party to an Authoritarian Party (1994-2016)
Part I begins here:
1/ First a few definitions from “Right Wing Authoritarianism Scale (Sanders & Ngo) & Authoritarianism in America.
Conservatives are adverse to change (rapid change CAN be destabilizing).
Right Wing Authoritarians (RWAs) are adverse to complexity (this includes diversity).
Conservatives are adverse to change (rapid change CAN be destabilizing).
Right Wing Authoritarians (RWAs) are adverse to complexity (this includes diversity).
2/ RWAs do what an established authority tells them to do. They show aggression toward “out groups” when an authority sanctions the aggression.
They value discipline and order.
Non-authoritarians value curiosity, openness and are less threatened by uncertainty.
They value discipline and order.
Non-authoritarians value curiosity, openness and are less threatened by uncertainty.
3/ Interesting fact: Paxton in Anatomy of Fascism concludes that the world’s first fascist group was the KKK.
By the 1980s (remember) the GOP coalition consisted of conservatives, libertarians, and RWA groups (NRA, KKK, neo-Nazis, etc.)
By the 1980s (remember) the GOP coalition consisted of conservatives, libertarians, and RWA groups (NRA, KKK, neo-Nazis, etc.)
4/ Spoiler: What happened, in a nutshell: The RWA’s grew increasingly empowered and, in 2016, took over the party.
After Nixon’s downfall, it was clear to the far right wing that they needed a media of their own. With that, they understood Nixon would have survived.
After Nixon’s downfall, it was clear to the far right wing that they needed a media of their own. With that, they understood Nixon would have survived.
5/ They now have a media machine that has captured the hearts and minds of a large percentage of Americans.
Gingrich moved the GOP closer to authoritarianism in 1994 when he said the GOP was the party of “discipline” (authoritarian) and the Democrats the party of “therapy."
Gingrich moved the GOP closer to authoritarianism in 1994 when he said the GOP was the party of “discipline” (authoritarian) and the Democrats the party of “therapy."
6/ Bannon, Manafort, and others in TrumpWorld make no secret of their belief that Russian oligarchy is a model government and an improvement over the gridlock and messiness of what American politics has become.
When Bannon wants to wreck the “establishment” he wants to spread…
When Bannon wants to wreck the “establishment” he wants to spread…
7/ . . .Putin’s style of fascism. nytimes.com/2018/03/09/wor…
Putin said democracy is “messy” and it is. Democracy requires compromise; dictatorship doesn’t.
When the Tea Party & Ted Cruz railed against compromise, they moved the GOP closer still toward authoritarianism.
Putin said democracy is “messy” and it is. Democracy requires compromise; dictatorship doesn’t.
When the Tea Party & Ted Cruz railed against compromise, they moved the GOP closer still toward authoritarianism.
8/ Back when the GOP was a conservative party, politics was “left v. right.”
Now that the GOP is authoritarian, it is “us v. them.”
Both sides believe they’re fighting for the “real” America.
"What?" you say. "How is Trump's vision the 'real' America?"
Now that the GOP is authoritarian, it is “us v. them.”
Both sides believe they’re fighting for the “real” America.
"What?" you say. "How is Trump's vision the 'real' America?"
9/ 🤔 Think back: Slavery. Treatment of Native Americans. Jim Crow laws. 1950s era of wife in apron.
Because 33% of the population is RWA, authoritarianism has always been with us. (They're good at seizing power, so they often have greater power than their numbers.)
Because 33% of the population is RWA, authoritarianism has always been with us. (They're good at seizing power, so they often have greater power than their numbers.)
10/ In other words, Trumpism is not a “momentary madness”
We’ve been fighting the same fight since the drafting of the Constitution.
Liberalism has always won out.
So hang in there everyone. If we do what we need to, liberalism will win again.
We’ve been fighting the same fight since the drafting of the Constitution.
Liberalism has always won out.
So hang in there everyone. If we do what we need to, liberalism will win again.
11/ Clarification of that 33%:
Studies show that about 1/3 of the people are INCLINED toward authoritarianism and have a tendency to fall in line behind a certain kind of leader. They are susceptible to certain fears.
Some of the studies outlined here:
researchgate.net/publication/31…
Studies show that about 1/3 of the people are INCLINED toward authoritarianism and have a tendency to fall in line behind a certain kind of leader. They are susceptible to certain fears.
Some of the studies outlined here:
researchgate.net/publication/31…
