On Authoritarian Predisposition

What if Authoritarianism Wasn’t an Ideology, but a Personality Trait?

In times of growing polarization, we often view authoritarianism as an ideological threat — a danger coming from the far right or the far left, embodied in certain parties or leaders who disdain liberal democracy. But what if authoritarianism was something deeper, more psychological, and much more common than we assume?

Behavioral economist Karen Stenner has spent decades researching how personality traits shape political attitudes. Her central argument is both provocative and unsettling: about one third of the population has an “authoritarian predisposition” — a psychological tendency to favor order, sameness, and simplicity in social life. This isn’t about beliefs; it’s about a deep emotional discomfort with complexity.

These individuals — who may identify with right-wing, left-wing, or apolitical positions — feel threatened by dissent, pluralism, and diversity. They find heated debates exhausting, they long for unity, and they dislike ambiguity or contradiction. They want a world where everything fits neatly, where rules are followed, where people stay in line — literally and figuratively.

The most striking insight from Stenner’s research is that this mindset is not inherently ideological: it can be expressed through exclusionary nationalism or through rigid, intolerant egalitarianism. What defines this mental attitude is not the content of one’s beliefs, but an intolerance for differing opinions, lifestyles, or worldviews.

At Eurocrazy, we believe that defending democracy means learning to live with complexity. Pluralism is not a flaw in the system — it’s the very foundation. If we catch ourselves feeling anxious around disagreement, craving a world where everyone thinks alike and no one questions the rules… it might be time to take a step back and reflect. Because authoritarianism doesn’t always come from outside — sometimes it begins within.

💬 What about you? Have you ever felt that urge for “someone to just shut everyone up” or “get things under control”? How do you deal with it? Share your thoughts in the comments.