Jasper Neerdaels

How the LA protests may boost appetite for authoritarianism – DW – 06/14/2025 Psychological research suggests far-right narratives about social breakdown could lead to more support for US President Trump and authoritarianism, not less.

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)

a woman in a trench coat is smiling while sitting next to a man in a suit and tie . ALT: a woman in a trench coat is smiling while sitting next to a man in a suit and tie .

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

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

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

Bedrohung der Demokratie: Wie Autokratie und Armut zusammenhängen Warum verfangen Versprechen von Autokraten gerade bei der ärmeren Bevölkerung? Scham spielt dabei eine zentrale Rolle, sagt der Psychologe Jasper Neerdaels. Und erklärt, wie sich Demokratien schützen ...

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...