Search results

The relationships among right-wing authoritarianism, sociopolitical attitudes, & life experiences were studied, drawing on survey data from 359 students at four high schools in Turin, Italy. Analysis of results by school type showed that authoritarianism correlates with lack of direct experiences of life with lack of peer group participation that would decrease dependence on family. A correlation was also found between high levels of religiosity & generalized indifference & rightist sociopolitical attitudes. The more books the subjects read, the less authoritarian; the more TV they watched, the more authoritarian. Results supported some hypotheses & are compared to previous studies. 21 References. Adapted from the source document.

AbstractObjectivesWe aimed to predict the favor for a technocratic government in the context of the SARS‐CoV‐2 pandemic.MethodWe tested a multilevel mediated moderated model on the ResPOnsE COVID‐19 data set (rolling cross‐section design, quota sample of the Italian adult population, N = 8210, data collected from March 17 to June 16, 2021).ResultsSubjective vulnerability to COVID‐19 showed a positive relationship with trust in science and scientists, which, in turn, had a positive relationship with favor for a technocratic government, particularly among participants who had low trust in the Italian Parliament. The prevalence of COVID‐19 (measured at Level‐2, with data nested by day of data collection) also showed a positive association with favor for a technocratic government.ConclusionThe COVID‐19 pandemic may have jeopardized representative democracyThe objective and subjective threats it triggered favor trust in science and scientists that, when combined with a low level of trust toward political institutions, fosters the desire for a technocratic government.

In the wake of an increase in antidemocratic tendencies in the Western world, a renewal of the study of authoritarianism is suggested. It is argued that European conditions are ripe for fascism -- eg, lack of social norms; economic, political, & cultural crisis; deteriorating living conditions; a fear of diversity; & large groups of non-European immigrants. Main perspectives on the authoritarian personality & authoritarianism are reviewed, focusing on Bob Altemeyer's theory (eg, 1981) which is thought to be the best approach for renewed studies. Altemeyer differs from previous theorists in postulating that the authoritarian personality arises in adolescence. He has also defined covariations of authoritarian submission, aggressivity, & conventionalism, which to some extent are now present in Canada, Australia, & some European countries. 75 References. Adapted from the source document.