Oh to be sure there are exceptions. But it is human nature to follow. The dynamic has been proven countless times in all walks of life.
put 10ish random people and one will take charge invariably. Put 20ish and two will vie for the top position. Pols count on that very dynamic and leverage it. Machiveli refined it to a fine art and Robert Greene based the 48 Laws of Power on it. The Bible has taught it for 2000 years.
It is not in and of itself ‘wrong’ to follow. The last thing the world needs is 6 billion Alphas running around. Too many Chiefs and all that. But it’s one thing to follow and another entire to follow like a lemming straight off a cliff.
The problem as I see it is that Americans were intentionally programmed to hit that cliff running. It gors back in large part to the 1936 Communist Goals. It existed long before but in the present context, thats where it really sent into high gear.
Call it Bread and Circuses, call it any number of historical examples. But a docile and servile populace is easier to control tan the one that fought the Re war. The last thing a control freak wants is someone he cannot control. So libs, like any good control freak, ensured a docile population.
Just look at the right that fancies themselves independent strong willed thinkers. They line up like any other liberal. They search endlessly for a miracle savior to bail them out of their voting consequences. We have all seen it a thousand times right here on FR - Rightest of the right wing sites.
So imagine how willing the genpub is to splicate and comply. They CRAVE servitude. To a muslim, to a democrat and yes, to GOP liberals.
Put a conservative in front of them and they resist it because it would turn their familiar world upside down.
No wonder folks admired those who did not go with the crowd.