Preserving Democracy: The Threat of Authoritarianism

In December of 2021, when Pope Francis visited Athens, Greece the birthplace of democracy, he lamented the global “retreat from democracy.” He noted that democracy is complex whereas “authoritarianism is peremptory and populism’s easy answers appear attractive.”

The pope’s perception that democracy is in decline while authoritarianism is on the rise is reenforced by empirical studies. For example, Freedom House, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization established in 1941 to promote democracy against the threat of fascism in Nazi Germany, published a report in 2023 claiming that the freedom promoted by democratic regimes declined for the 17th consecutive year. On the other hand, the report did note that some countries provided more competitive elections and rolled back pandemic related restrictions on personal freedom.

In its 2024 analysis of various countries, Freedom House praised the United States for its “vibrant political system,” “strong rule-of-law tradition” and “robust freedom of expression and religious beliefs.” On the other hand, their report noted that in recent years some American democratic institutions have “suffered erosion” reflected in “rising political polarization and extremism” and “partisan pressure on the electoral process.”

The nonprofit group Protect Democracy issued a report in 2022 suggesting three reasons for the rise of authoritarianism in the United States. First, globalization, which has reduced world-wide poverty dramatically in the last 25 years, has not benefited many middle-class Americans, leaving them susceptible to the rhetoric of authoritarian politicians promising them easy solutions to their economic woes. Second, due to technological changes and personal choices, Americans today are less closely connected to one another in meaningful ways, producing feelings of isolation and loneliness that weaken democracy and make authoritarianism more attractive. Without the “social capital” produced by “robust social engagement,” it is harder for losers of elections to accept the winners as legitimate leaders and to acknowledge the election was free and fair. In this situation, authoritarian leaders can sell a social narrative that pits us against them. Third, demographic changes, which have made the U.S. a more diverse society and empowered historically marginalized groups, have produced resentment in some people who bemoan the loss of their previous dominant status. Authoritarian leaders can pander to their resentments without suffering political penalties. In summary, Protect Democracy argues that these economic, social and cultural developments have weakened our democracy leaving it vulnerable to authoritarian politicians who exploit this trend to promote extremist policies.

Recent research has clarified authoritarian tendencies in American society. For example, a 2024 survey by the Pew Research Center found that 32% of Americans say that “rule by a strong leader or the military would be a good way of governing the country.” A 2023 Gallup survey found that only 28% of U.S. adults are satisfied with the way our democracy is working, a record low. This provides a large group of citizens who might have latent authoritarian tendencies that could be activated by right wing politicians. A survey by IPSOS, an international research company, found that 66% of American think the country needs a strong leader to take the country back from the rich and powerful with 40% approving of their leader breaking the rules.

In 2016, Vox a scholarly research resource, published an article by Amanda Taub, a columnist for the New York Times, entitled “The Rise of American Authoritarianism” that summarized some of the research on authoritarian tendencies among U.S. citizens. In general, a group of political scientists identified a portion of the electorate that has an authoritarian worldview that prizes social order and looks for strong leaders who can bring a sense of control in a chaotic world. The survey highlighted the research of Matthew MacWilliams who wrote his doctoral dissertation at the University of Massachusetts Amherst on authoritarianism that enabled him in 2016 to correctly predict that Donald Trump would defeat a large group of establishment candidates in the Republican primaries and would defeat Hilary Clinton to become the president of the United States. In doing further research, MacWilliams found that some 40% of Americans have an authoritarian mindset that tends to favor authority, obedience and uniformity over freedom, independence and diversity. He was quick to add this does not mean 40% of Americans favor dictatorship over democracy. Nor should it imply a judgement on their character. For MacWilliams, it does mean that there is a sizable number of Americans with various political ideologies who are predisposed to trade civil liberties for strong man solutions and to strip civil liberties from those perceived as “other.”

In another article written before the 2020 election, professor MacWilliams said his studies showed that authoritarians are more likely than other voters to agree with the following statements: the country should be governed by a strong leader who does not have to bother with Congress or elections; freedom of the press should be limited and the media is the enemy of the people; the president should have the power to limit the voice and vote of opposition parties; increasing racial, religious and ethnic diversity is a clear and present threat to national security; and sometimes other groups must be kept in their place.

MacWilliams went on to outline the political path autocrats follow to activate latent authoritarian citizens. Conjure an “other who is different from mainstream Americans and constitutes a clear and present threat” to “mainstream values and traditions.” Stoke fears that the other is behind a “hidden conspiracy. Rationalize actions that violate fundamental values, laws and constitutional protections guaranteed to all Americans.

In his article, MacWilliams drew on the 2005 book The Authoritarian Dynamic by Princeton professor of politics, Karen Stenner who argued that many Americans hold “latent authoritarian tendencies” that can be activated by emphasizing fear of outsiders who pose physical threats such as violent immigrants as well as threats to the order of society, for example, transgender biological males competing unfairly in sports against biological females.

To identify authoritarian tendencies MacWilliams asked four questions about child-rearing, namely which of these two traits in children are more important: independence or respect for elders; curiosity or good manners; sell-reliance or obedience; being confident or being well-behaved. People who picked the second trait in each set have an “authoritarian worldview” according to MacWilliams, who did not want this trait to suggest a value judgement. He did say that politically, authoritarians tend to prefer clarity and unity to ambiguity and difference. They also tend to be amenable to restricting the rights of foreigners and those who are “other.”

Commenting on the 2024 presidential campaign, UCLA sociologist Cecelia Menjivar argued that it is fear, an “efficient and malleable tactic,” that allows authoritarian politicians to create enemies out of anyone including political opponents, immigrants, journalists, scientists and academics. Autocrats try to create an “us” vs “them” mentality that fosters a “doom-and-gloom scenario.” As fear of others proliferates, citizens with authoritarian tendencies tends to think the threats are so fearsome that only a strong leader can eradicate them. The autocrat presents himself as the “only savior of the nation” and spreads this lie through social media to anyone with a smart phone. Autocrats do not seek to destroy democracy completely but use the “tools of democracy” to gain more power for themselves and erode the restraining power of the rule of law and the system of checks and balances in government. Autocrats make use of civil institutions to consolidate their power. As a prime example of such a civic organization, Professor Menjivar cites Project 2025, a 922-page document organized by The Heritage Foundation that brought together 34 organizations and hundreds of contributors to produce in her words a “blueprint” for consolidating power and weakening democratic institutions.

In a statement on the 2024 election, Cardinal Robert McElroy of San Diego challenged Catholic voters to choose candidates who will best advance the common good of our country. Voters should engage in “deep spiritual reflection” on the issues and the candidates in light of Catholic Social Teaching. The cardinal cited three issues of special importance facing voters in 2024: the protection of unborn children; the reversal of climate change that threatens all creation; and the struggle against the culture of exclusion built on racism and religious prejudice. McElroy, who holds doctorates in theology and political science, reminds us that elections are not about adhering to specific Church teachings but about choosing the best candidate for public office. In making this choice we should consider a candidate’s leadership qualities that are needed today; for example, the ability to lead and unify our divided country. Faith-filled voters should assess a candidate’s intelligence, relational skills, mastery of policy and intuitive insights that enable effective governance. Finally, voters should consider a candidate’s character including truthfulness, collegiality and political courage. Cardinal McElroy concluded his statement by reminding us that we need the virtue of prudence, a gift of the Holy Spirit, to apply Catholic Social Teaching to our discernment of a candidate’s character, leadership and competency.

Applying McElroy’s advice to the threat of authoritarianism, we should keep in mind the character traits of autocrats, their clever methods of gaining followers and their devious use of democracy itself to gain more power for themselves. We must vote prudently and encourage others to do so as well. Whatever the outcome of the 2024 presidential election, a truly momentous event with cataclysmic consequences, we need the virtue of Christian hope, rooted in the faith conviction that God wills justice, peace and love for the whole human family that will ultimately be achieved. Hope encourages us to stay alert to small signs of progress. Empowered by hope, we can avoid cynicism and despair while continuing the noble struggle to preserve our democracy against ongoing authoritarian threats.