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Why are so many Americans openly embracing authoritarianism?
Specifically, Republicans in favor of Donald Trump - surprise! - have been leaning more towards supporting a twice-impeached vulgarian who is willing to use violence and force if necessary to save this country from alleged enemies and “invaders.”
MAGA supporters often refer to themselves as God-fearing, moral patriots. The hypocrisy and mental gymnastics required to say such things makes the brain melt, but this mindset has now taken over one of the major political parties in America.
Although we’ve been discussing this trend for years, in no small part due to Trump’s own dangerous rhetoric and incitement of a violent insurrection, corporate media hasn’t unpacked the actual data and connected the dots to explain this marriage between authoritarianism, conservative values and religiosity. At the very least, they don’t name the rising threat, which is White Christian Nationalisn.
Thankfully, Melissa Deckman, CEO of Public Religion Religious Research Institute and author of “The Politics of Generation Z,” is doing the work, naming the names, and in the process keeping me awake at night with her organization’s startling polls and analysis.
She joins The Left Hook to unpack PRRI’s latest survey which reveals the role of patriarchy, attitudes on child rearing, and religiosity that directly influence the right-wing’s support of Trump and authoritarianism, and how this movement will only become more extreme and violent as it loses the majority.
Grab a chai and give us a listen. I swear there’s some hope towards the end.
The Role of Patriarchy in MAGA's Embrace of Trump and Authoritarianism