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The One Weird Trait That Predicts Whether You’re a Trump Supporter

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+16 more 
posted on Feb, 17 2016 @ 10:31 AM
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We have heard the line repeated over and over again that the Left and their ideologies are authoritarian in nature and are a threat to this country. I'd like to present you with an interesting piece that discusses the issue, and the results of a study that show the Left may not be the bastion of authoritarians as one would expect.


In fact, I’ve found a single statistically significant variable predicts whether a voter supports Trump—and it’s not race, income or education levels: It’s authoritarianism.

That’s right, Trump’s electoral strength—and his staying power—have been buoyed, above all, by Americans with authoritarian inclinations. And because of the prevalence of authoritarians in the American electorate, among Democrats as well as Republicans, it’s very possible that Trump’s fan base will continue to grow.



My finding is the result of a national poll I conducted in the last five days of December under the auspices of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, sampling 1,800 registered voters across the country and the political spectrum. Running a standard statistical analysis, I found that education, income, gender, age, ideology and religiosity had no significant bearing on a Republican voter’s preferred candidate. Only two of the variables I looked at were statistically significant: authoritarianism, followed by fear of terrorism, though the former was far more significant than the latter.



Authoritarians obey. They rally to and follow strong leaders. And they respond aggressively to outsiders, especially when they feel threatened. From pledging to “make America great again” by building a wall on the border to promising to close mosques and ban Muslims from visiting the United States, Trump is playing directly to authoritarian inclinations.


While I have been one to admit that I believe Trump appeals to the lowest common denominators among us, it appears that I was incorrect in that what really draws people to Trump is the authoritarian nature of his message. Authoritarian messages do not just appeal to Republicans, as is stated in the article, but it does seem as though they have the data to suggest authoritarians are moving further to the Right.


But Hetherington has also found, based on 14 years of polling, that authoritarians have steadily moved from the Democratic to the Republican Party over time. He hypothesizes that the trend began decades ago, as Democrats embraced civil rights, gay rights, employment protections and other political positions valuing freedom and equality. In my poll results, authoritarianism was not a statistically significant factor in the Democratic primary race, at least not so far, but it does appear to be playing an important role on the Republican side. Indeed, 49 percent of likely Republican primary voters I surveyed score in the top quarter of the authoritarian scale—more than twice as many as Democratic voters.


I invite you to read the article and comment as you see fit. This piece seems to turn certain ideas and talking points on it's head, as we often here the Left are the authoritarians, and places a new light on why people support candidates like Trump.

Politico


+44 more 
posted on Feb, 17 2016 @ 10:44 AM
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We have heard the line repeated over and over again that the Left and their ideologies are authoritarian in nature and are a threat to this country.


Because it's true.

See this example.



Authoritarians obey. They rally to and follow strong leaders. And they respond aggressively to outsiders, especially when they feel threatened.


Yes people there's 'nothing' authoritarian about taxing the rich out of existence simply because the left hates the ever living hell out of them.

And.

Yes people there wasn't anything 'authoritarian' when the Left created social security that 'branded' every American in this country like cattle with a number, and a FORCED TAX on everyone that lives here. Not once.Not Twice.Not Three times, but QUADRUPLE taxation.

I have other examples like the LEFTs gun control Agenda.

And there is the 'oh God,Oh God we're all gonna die if we don't let the government save the planet' !.

That article is nothing, but TRANSFERENCE from Left Wingers.


+19 more 
posted on Feb, 17 2016 @ 10:44 AM
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Politics in general makes people into walking contradictions, especially on the Republican side of the aisle.

They claim to want smaller government yet they want the government to govern what we do in our bedrooms and lives by banning gay marriage, they claim to believe in a man who said that what comes out of your mouth is what condemns you yet they are against being PC (watching what you say), they claim to believe the rich should be able to make as much money as they want yet Jesus said it was hard for a rich person to enter heaven and not to store up earthly treasures, they claim that socialism is evil yet their savior cured people of leprosy and fed them free of charge.

And yes, Republicans are overwhelmingly Christian. They have become caricatures of themselves.


+33 more 
posted on Feb, 17 2016 @ 10:50 AM
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a reply to: neo96

How about responding to the findings of the thread?

We all know the old arguments about left and right, but does it not alarm you that the trend is for right wingers to be authoritarian to a greater degree than their left wing counterparts?


+13 more 
posted on Feb, 17 2016 @ 10:55 AM
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a reply to: TrueBrit

The article in the op is an old 'argument'.

Hell if I had a nickle for every thread, and article that said the LEFT is 'better' than the right.

I would be an evil one per center that is the root cause of all Americans problems.

There was nothing 'new' in that article, but the same old song, and dance.


+27 more 
posted on Feb, 17 2016 @ 10:55 AM
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I firmly believe that the one trait common to the vast majority of Trump supporters is an utter disgust with the politics as usual scene.


+17 more 
posted on Feb, 17 2016 @ 10:56 AM
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a reply to: neo96

If that is what you believe, then perhaps you did not read it properly. It specifically said that the dance has changed, and that those leading it have changed roles in the dance. That is the exact opposite of business as usual.



posted on Feb, 17 2016 @ 10:57 AM
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Trump is just pandering to the Right, once he wins the primary's his message will become much less "Authoritarian".


+2 more 
posted on Feb, 17 2016 @ 10:58 AM
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I'm not sure about the article. One broad stroke and what not.
I think the real reason both trump and sanders are so popular right now is that they are different from the usual choices.
People are not happy with politics and are jumping on the fresh ideas.


+7 more 
posted on Feb, 17 2016 @ 10:59 AM
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originally posted by: TrueBrit
a reply to: neo96

If that is what you believe, then perhaps you did not read it properly. It specifically said that the dance has changed, and that those leading it have changed roles in the dance. That is the exact opposite of business as usual.


I find it ironic that the Right keeps claiming the Left wants to control people.

Here's your mirror.


+8 more 
posted on Feb, 17 2016 @ 11:03 AM
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a reply to: TrueBrit

As Authoritarian is clearly defined:



favoring complete obedience or subjection to authority as opposed to individual freedom:




of or relating to a governmental or political system, principle, or practice in which individual freedom is held as completely subordinate to the power or authority of the state, centered either in one person or a small group that is not constitutionally accountable to the people.




exercising complete or almost complete control over the will of another or of others:


dictionary.reference.com...

Last time I checked left wingers have a slobbering love affair with authoritarianism.,

Especailly since over the last 100 years they have continually tried to subjugate the freedoms of gun owners,rich people, and now everyone with climate change.

And the LEFT actually has the nerve to 'lecture' the right.

Oh hell no.

edit on 17-2-2016 by neo96 because: (no reason given)


+7 more 
posted on Feb, 17 2016 @ 11:05 AM
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originally posted by: Annee

originally posted by: TrueBrit
a reply to: neo96

If that is what you believe, then perhaps you did not read it properly. It specifically said that the dance has changed, and that those leading it have changed roles in the dance. That is the exact opposite of business as usual.


I find it ironic that the Right keeps claiming the Left wants to control people.

Here's your mirror.


I know right. Banning muslims (temporarily), forcing mexico to build a wall. Sounds pretty authoritarian to me...



posted on Feb, 17 2016 @ 11:08 AM
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a reply to: introvert

Is authoritarian the same as being aggressive?


+17 more 
posted on Feb, 17 2016 @ 11:08 AM
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a reply to: Krazysh0t

So let me get this straight.

There wasn't anything authoritarian about CLintons 'assault weapons ban'.

Or the Brady Law that for the first time in American History FORCED every American in this country have to ask the States permission to practice their second amendment RIGHTS ?

That was under CLinton too.

Or the 'Affordable' Care Act that FORCE people to buy a corporate product. Healthcare.

Some people sure do need to look in the mirror.



posted on Feb, 17 2016 @ 11:08 AM
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a reply to: introvert

Interesting... No wonder I can't stand Trump! LOL!



au·thor·i·tar·i·an
ADJECTIVE

favoring or enforcing strict obedience to authority, especially that of the government, at the expense of personal freedom:


Trump, as a CEO, is highly authoritarian. Of course, he favors strict obedience, as long as HE'S the authority. And that's how he plans to run this country. I hope his supporters enjoy what he brings to this country. Or, rather, what he'll be taking away.


+8 more 
posted on Feb, 17 2016 @ 11:10 AM
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originally posted by: Krazysh0t

I know right. Banning muslims (temporarily), forcing mexico to build a wall. Sounds pretty authoritarian to me...


How is that authoritarian on the American Citizens and legal immigrants?

You're getting things twisted and backwards again.



+16 more 
posted on Feb, 17 2016 @ 11:10 AM
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a reply to: neo96

I am at a loss as to how to respond to you, Neo. Obviously you did not grasp the information provided at the source and as an emotional, knee-jerk reaction you lash-out against the Left.

I know these topics are uncomfortable Neo, but your discomfort does not change the information provided.


+12 more 
posted on Feb, 17 2016 @ 11:10 AM
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originally posted by: Annee
I find it ironic that the Right keeps claiming the Left wants to control people.

Here's your mirror.


As someone who is firmly in the middle it became readily apparent to me that both sides wish to impose their will on others. They are two sides of the same coin.




edit on 17-2-2016 by AugustusMasonicus because: Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn


+9 more 
posted on Feb, 17 2016 @ 11:11 AM
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a reply to: Krazysh0t


Building a wall to keep people in is authoritarian.
Keeping them out is not.



posted on Feb, 17 2016 @ 11:12 AM
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originally posted by: DBCowboy
a reply to: introvert

Is authoritarian the same as being aggressive?



Of course not.

But you can be an aggressive authoritarian.




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