Dr. Karen Stenner

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I generally find about a third of the populace is predisposed to authoritarianism, right across liberal democracy (see Table 1 for 2016 survey results from the EU). This is according to a “child-rearing values” measure: a “bare bones” measure of authoritarian predisposition rather than authoritarian attitudes. The results here depend simply on asking respondents: “Which is more important for a child to have? Independence, or respect for elders? Obedience, or self-reliance? Consideration for others, or good behaviour? Curiosity, or good manners?”

This % roughly correlates with @karenstenner.bsky.social 's research finding that appx 1/3 of people are predisposed toward authoritarianism. I can't stop wondering if there's anything we can do about it or if that figure is permanently baked in. hopenothate.org.uk/2020/11/01/a...

"Liberal democracy has now exceeded many people’s capacity to tolerate it." Including, one might add, "intellectuals" in Germany. @karenstenner.bsky.social

I’m mindful that @karenstenner.bsky.social, an expert on the authoritarian mindset, says that UBI is the single most important policy for governments who wish to fend off right wing extremism.

The Hidden Reasons Authoritarianism Is Growing — And How to Reverse It It takes all kinds. Humanity would have never made it this far without a multitude of people with a wide diversity of personality types and preferences. It is our individual differences wherein lies o...

I think so and so does @karenstenner.bsky.social

OBSERVED EFFECTS OF UBI No significant reduction in labor supply (38 studies meta-analysis) Increased self-employment (301%) and part-time employment (17%) Slight decrease in alcohol and tobacco use (31 studies meta-analysis) New mothers extend their maternity leaves Birth weights improve due to better maternal nutrition Graduation rates and educational outcomes improve Hospitalization rates decline (8.5%) Crime goes down (15%–42%) especially illegal hunting (95%) Domestic violence decreases (30%–51%) Trust increases (13% in politicians | 6% in other people) Home ownership rates increase (17%–26%) Food security increases as does consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables Improved cognitive functioning (43%) and personality traits (31%) Savings go up, debts go down Source: scottsantens

I've been researching the idea of Unconditional Universal Basic Income since 2013. Here's a collection of findings I've compiled from various UBI experiments and studies of cash transfer programs around the world.

This will be a VERY LONG and ongoing thread focused entirely on empirical evidence. 🧵

Disinformation and the death of democracy - The Boston Globe Societies seem to thrive when there’s a balanced mix of folks who monitor the boundaries and guard against the strange and unfamiliar, and others who seek out novelty and variety.

In a democracy it's unrealistic to think we'll ever achieve a golden era of consensus. But we can bring authoritarians back into the pro-democracy fold, incrementally, by emphasizing our commonalities, and with appeals to empathy, fairness and justice. ⤵️for more.
www.bostonglobe.com/2024/10/31/o...

The list reads: Defense of democracy seen as basic to the job. Symmetrical accounts of asymmetrical realities seen as malpractice. “Politics as strategic game” frame seen as low quality, downmarket, amateurish— and overmatched. Bad actors with a history of misinforming the public seen as unsuitable sources and unwelcome guests. Internalizing of the “liberal bias” critique seen as self-crippling, a historic mistake in need of correction.

This is a list I post from time to time. My answer to a reader who asked me: what could journalists do NOW to break with some of their more corrosive habits. You would think it would grow out-of-date, but...

If we weren't at such a weird moment in history, the collapse of Assad's regime would be widely understood as a huge success for the Biden administration, which pursued sanctions on Russia and Iran as well as Syria, armed Ukraine and thus weakened Russia, and supported Syrian democrats and activists

"...with the right kinds of appeals and support, a significant portion of authoritarians can reject the strongman who constantly invokes chaos and disorder but who never delivers that promised second act of renewed unity and consensus."
—political psychologist @karenstenner.bsky.social

A black-and-white portrait of James Baldwin seated at a table with his head resting on his hand. He is in front of a bookshelf filled with books, wearing a short-sleeve shirt, a watch, and a ring, with a thoughtful expression.

I imagine one of the reasons
people cling to their hates so stubbornly is because they sense, once hate is gone, they will be forced to deal with pain - James Baldwin

I kind of have a "necessity is the mother of invention" attitude to this now. UBI will happen, despite all the barriers we've noted, because it HAS to happen. I can't see how we survive the coming crises without it.

It's a game changer! Even if we just count the avoided downstream costs of poverty re. ill health, housing & family instability, loss of productivity etc UBI pays for itself. Every1 needs to get over "but you cant give ppl something for nothing!" It helps both democ & capitalism work better, for all

You're very welcome. So glad you found it helpful.

All The President's Men Rupert Murdoch, Jeff Bezos & why press ownership matters.

Why did Jeff Bezos appoint Rupert Murdoch's right-hand man to the top job at Washington Post? To do his bidding. And when he did journalists & readers rebelled.

This week, I write about a parallel revolt inside the Guardian & Observer & why press ownership matters
open.substack.com/pub/broligar...

Bad faith? On Christians and Trump

What should we think (and do) about the fact that Christians voted for Trump over Harris by two to one?

alexevansuk.substack.com/p/bad-faith

A key asymmetry of this era of American politics and how it’s covered is that Trump is expected to do bad and corrupt things, so when he does it barely qualifies as news. But Dems are expected to be beyond reproach, so anything that seems even slightly suspect is a huge scandal.

Trump suggests Canada become 51st state after Trudeau said tariff would kill economy: sources President-elect Trump told Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau his country should become the 51st state if it can't fix trade and immigration issues without ripping off the U.S.

"Trump suggested to Trudeau that Canada become the 51st state, which caused the prime minister and others to laugh nervously, sources told Fox News. But he continued, telling Trudeau that prime minister is a better title, though he could still be governor” www.foxnews.com/politics/tru...

My favorite follow on Twitter will again be my lodestone here.
I cannot recommend Teri's kindness & wisdom more highly!
You should definitely follow her here or on her website terikanefield.com: an absolute treasure trove of resources for how to live happily with democracy & your fellow human beings

My favorite follow on Twitter will again be my lodestone here.
I cannot recommend Teri's kindness & wisdom more highly!
You should definitely follow her here or on her website terikanefield.com: an absolute treasure trove of resources for how to live happily with democracy & your fellow human beings

I highly recommend reading this article. I've read it dozens of times since I first read it in 2020. I've even written my own article like it in the hope of getting more people to read Stenner's book. She's an expert on authoritarianism and knows what's really going on and how to fix it. FOLLOW HER.

Thanks Scott, so happy to find you here in the sunny place!

Slava Ukraini!

You're very welcome Elizabeth. I'm always glad to hear when people find my work helpful.

And yes, it's hard to keep going sometimes. But really, we have no choice!

Onward.

The Spark - Karen Stenner and the authoritarian predisposition - BBC Sounds Helen Lewis meets people offering radical solutions to the big problems of our times.

Yes... ~1/3 of populations across the West have authoritarian predisposition, thus little willingness or capacity to deal with complexity -- which makes modern liberal democracy pretty intolerable to them! You might find this interview I did at BBC Radio 4 of interest:
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

The Spark - Karen Stenner and the authoritarian predisposition - BBC Sounds Helen Lewis meets people offering radical solutions to the big problems of our times.

Thanks for posting that podcast Stephan! Lots of people seem to have found that one helpful.
Here's a related interview on authoritarianism, racism and intolerance that I did with the wonderful @HelenLewis.bsky.social on BBC Radio 4:
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

The Spark - Karen Stenner and the authoritarian predisposition - BBC Sounds Helen Lewis meets people offering radical solutions to the big problems of our times.

Thanks for posting that podcast Stephan! Lots of people seem to have found that one helpful.
Here's a related interview on authoritarianism, racism and intolerance that I did with the wonderful @HelenLewis.bsky.social on BBC Radio 4:
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

The authoritarian personality - why some voters feel drawn to populism and how to lure them away - Politics on the Couch Dr Karen Stenner talks to Rafael Behr about the authoritarian personality and why it plays such an important part in political behaviour.

... 1) This @rafaelbehr.bsky.social interview with @karenstenner.bsky.social. An eye-opening insight into authoritarian voters and how to get them on board.
pca.st/episode/6d13...

Yes but you cant educate it away (1 of the West's enduring myths). So, that 1/3 of the popn incapable of living w. vast complexity must (in a democracy!) be supported & accommodated, in ways that *dont* infringe others' rights. It is a failure of both understanding & imagination that we dont do this

Yes but you cant educate it away (1 of the West's enduring myths). So, that 1/3 of the popn incapable of living w. vast complexity must (in a democracy!) be supported & accommodated, in ways that *dont* infringe others' rights. It is a failure of both understanding & imagination that we dont do this