General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Serious question : Are the current Republican/Conservatives mentally ill? [View all]Fumesucker
(45,851 posts)Practically everyone in the Republican party is an authoritarian these days..
If you read this free e-book, "The Authoritarians" by Dr Bob Altemeyer you'll have a lot better understanding of what they are about.
http://home.cc.umanitoba.ca/~altemey/
OK, whats this book about? Its about whats happened to the American government lately. Its about the disastrous decisions that government has made. Its about the corruption that rotted the Congress. Its about how traditional conservatism has nearly been destroyed by authoritarianism. Its about how the Religious Right teamed up with amoral authoritarian leaders to push its un-democratic agenda onto the country. Its about the United States standing at the crossroads as the next federal election approaches.
Well, you might be thinking, I dont believe any of this is true. Or maybe, youre thinking, What else is new? Ive believed this for years. Why should a conservative, moderate, or liberal bother with this book? Why should any Republican, Independent, or Democrat click the Whole Book link on this page?
Because if you do, youll begin an easy-ride journey through some very relevant scientific studies I have done on authoritarian personalities--one that will take you a heck of a lot less time than the decades it took me. Those studies have a direct bearing on all the topics mentioned above. So if you think the first paragraph is a lot of hokum, or full of half-truths, I invite you to look at the research.
For example, take the following statement: Once our government leaders and the authorities condemn the dangerous elements in our society, it will be the duty of every patriotic citizen to help stomp out the rot that is poisoning our country from within. Sounds like something Hitler would say, right? Want to guess how many politicians, how many lawmakers in the United States agreed with it? Want to guess what they had in common?