"The intimidation and silencing of opposition; the attack on truth in the name of ideology; the increasingly toxic tribalism; the strategic and cynical demonizing of disagreeable "others;" the metastasizing moral and civic corruption; the bubbling violence in discourse and on the streets; the civic institutions bullied into compliance; the acquiescent courts; the cult of personality; the nihilistic march toward authoritarianism-it's all been done before. The script is similar; the moves expected, as is the outcome."
"As I have written here before, psychologists have long been interested in this facet of our species' internal architecture: the ability, willingness-even the urge and desire-to shed reason, rationality, civility, freedom, and tolerance in favor of a brutal fever dream of revenge, self-righteousness, destruction, and domination. Part of the answer appears to reside in the tension inherent in our existence: On one hand, we are a curious species; we crave variety, novelty, and a variety of options and choices."
Contemporary U.S. politics reflects recurring historical patterns of authoritarianism characterized by intimidation of opposition, attacks on truth, tribalism, demonization of dissenters, civic corruption, and rising violence. Civic institutions and courts have been pressured into acquiescence while a cult of personality and nihilistic impulses advance authoritarian aims. Psychological dynamics contribute: humans balance curiosity and desire for diversity against an aversion to uncertainty that drives longing for simplicity, certainty, and purity. This psychological tension can prompt abandonment of reason, civility, freedom, and tolerance in favor of revenge, domination, and destructive impulses, making authoritarian trajectories difficult to halt.
Read at Psychology Today
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