"Many people are concerned about the rise in authoritarianism and autocracy globally. These political structures create a climate of fear, uncertainty, and stress. Authoritarian regimes can quickly dismantle programs that benefit people and the environment, leaving citizens disempowered and more vulnerable to environmental degradation. Understanding the psychology of authoritarianism supports the mental clarity needed for resisting, fostering well-being, and imagining and building sustainable futures."
"However, that comfort comes at a cost. This promise of certainty, used by a bully, can marginalize anyone; it disrespects expertise of all kinds, distorts facts, and inflames polarization. Mirroring the social dynamics of a schoolyard, the bully and his inner circle demand loyalty, while bystanders stay silent to avoid becoming targets. Followers may feel protected, but they also live in fear of being cast out."
"Psychologists call this anxious-preoccupied attachment-a constant vigilance to maintain connection with a powerful, unpredictable figure. It's not just outsiders who pay the price, but everyone caught in the cycle of fear, conformity, and lost authenticity. Anyone caught in this dynamic may begin to see the world in stark, black-and-white terms, in which those who think differently are seen as dangerous. This psychological " splitting" serves the authoritarian agenda well: Once the other side is viewed as not just wrong but evil, even extreme actions against them can be rationalized."
Authoritarian and autocratic systems create climates of fear, uncertainty, and stress and can swiftly dismantle programs that protect people and the environment, increasing vulnerability to degradation. Promises of restored greatness appeal by offering identity, security, and belonging to those affected by economic and cultural change. Such promises often centralize loyalty to a dominant figure, marginalize expertise, distort facts, and inflame polarization. Followers may adopt anxious-preoccupied attachment, maintaining vigilance to stay connected to unpredictable leaders, leading to fear, conformity, and loss of authenticity. Psychological splitting frames dissenters as morally evil, enabling justification of extreme actions. Prolonged political tension harms mental health.
Read at Psychology Today
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