Meanwhile, 44 percent backed the American tradition of competing branches of government as a model, if sometimes “frustrating,” system.
Why would people want to live under an authoritarian’s thumb? It’s rooted, experts say, in a psychological need for security—real or perceived—and a desire for conformity, a goal that becomes even more acute as the country undergoes dramatic demographic and social changes. People also like to obey a strong leader who will protect the group—especially if it is the “right” group whose interests will be protected. Recall the Trump supporter who, during the 2019 government shutdown, complained, “He’s not hurting the people he needs to be hurting.”
This right here. Even as a kid studying history, I never understood why someone would support a dictator. When I was like 9 or 10, we were learning about WW2 or something, and I said, “Wait, Mrs. <History Teacher>, you’re saying people wanted Hitler to be a dictator and voted for him? Why would someone give up the possibility of being leader themselves?!” I couldn’t comprehend how someone wouldn’t want to at least have the possibility of having supreme executive authority.
Like, if it were me in charge, then I’m all for it, but some other person? HELLLLLLLL NO! It could be Gary down the block, and he’s an asshole.
Fucking Gary - I completely agree.