The Authoritarian Character

The article “The Power of the Middle-Class Shame Vote” in the January 6, 2019, of The New York Times suggested that both poor and middle class voters had much in common. Examples included that the myth of attaining a college degree was just a myth, and did not guarantee employment in today’s economic market. Moreover, achieving that college degree meant that one had accumulated a massive repayment debt. Further, being college educated did not guarantee that one did not lose their job; be subjected to irregular work; or have a union negotiated contract. Certainly, the less than college educated are in a worse or dire situation as they likely do not have the necessary  skills for today’s employment. Another anxiety or stress factor, for this group, was related to physical illness, drug and/or alcohol addiction of self or some family member. Even with health insurance, one can be faced with debt, bankruptcy depending upon the illness and/or pre-existing health coverage. In essence, the quality of economics and health within one’s life space, at any time, results in an inordinate amount of insecurity, anxiety, worry, bitterness and anger, not only in the present, but also the loss of hope and disillusionment about their future. These failures, and they are personal failures in our capitalistic system, are detrimental to one’s sense of self, self-esteem and social prestige. The comparisons, with others, exacerbates the feelings of unworthiness, inadequacy, and inferiority. This adds to the unconscious longing or tendency to identify, to become dependent and become more receptive on a savior or rescuer. Furthermore, these components or dynamics dovetail within the authoritarian character structure?

Employing economics and illness as a backdrop, lead to a second article found in The New York Times, dated December 16, 2018 titled “Is There Such a Thing As an Authoritarian Voter?” In this article, there was reference to Theodor Adorno’s research “The Authoritarian Personality, published in 1950. It was focused on and with fascist and anti-Semitic racism present in Germany and Italy during the Second World War .Another major focus of the article pertained to the conservative and/or Trump follower of the past presidential election.

To Be Continued