Social-Psychological Dynamics of Authoritarianism in Politics

Authoritarianism in politics arises from a complex interplay of individual dispositions, group identities and situational threats. Individuals high in authoritarian predispositions tend to seek clear social hierarchies, submit to established authority figures and endorse punitive measures against perceived norm violators. Social dominance orientation further compounds these tendencies by promoting intergroup hierarchies and legitimising inequality. Together, these traits interact with cognitive mechanisms—such as threat perception and system justification—to shape attitudes toward immigration, minority rights and democratic norms. Research has highlighted how collective anxieties, whether economic or cultural, can trigger an “authoritarian dynamic” that amplifies support for restrictive policies and charismatic leaders. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for designing interventions that bolster democratic resilience and promote dialogue across ideological divides.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Recent studies have shown that conservatives’ anti-democratic tendencies are partly explained by elevated levels of right-wing authoritarianism and social dominance orientation, which reduce support for political equality and legal guarantees. Mediational analysis indicates that political system justification can counterbalance these tendencies by reinforcing adherence to democratic procedures. The findings illuminate how underlying psychological predispositions shape willingness to defect from democratic “rules of the game” and vote for anti-democratic candidates, and underscore the need to address both ideological orientation and foundational attitudes when safeguarding democratic norms.

Social-Psychological Dynamics of Authoritarianism in Politics publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in social-psychological dynamics of authoritarianism in politics across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Right-wing authoritarianism: A multidimensional construct characterised by deference to authority, aggression toward outgroups and strict adherence to social conventions.

Social dominance orientation: A preference for hierarchical intergroup relations and the dominance of high-status groups over low-status groups.

Political system justification: The motivation to defend and rationalise existing political arrangements, institutions and norms.

Authoritarian dynamic: The tendency for individuals to shift toward more authoritarian attitudes in response to perceived societal or personal threats.

References

1. Selective Exposure and the Authoritarian Dynamic: Evidence From Canada and the United States. Journal of Social and Political Psychology (2020).
2. Liberal-conservative asymmetries in anti-democratic tendencies are partly explained by psychological differences in a nationally representative U.S. sample. Communications Psychology (2024).
3. Authoritarianism, Political Attitudes, and Vote Choice: A Longitudinal Analysis of the British Electorate. Political Behavior (2024).
4. Nordic authoritarianism: Child‐rearing values and political behavior in a multiparty context. Political Psychology (2023).
5. Authoritarianism, economic threat, and the limits of multiculturalism in post‐migration crisis Germany. Social Science Quarterly (2022).