This Study Proves Why Trump’s Supporters Won’t Leave Him No Matter What He Does

Redstate ^ | 1/16/16 | Leon H. Wolf

[TBBT]

A social scientist with the University of Massachusetts conducted a study last week designed to identify trends among the supporters of the leading political candidates for the 2016 race. With respect to Trump’s supporters in particular, the study found that the main statistical variable that could be used to predict whether someone was a Trump supporter was not race, age, religion, income, or education. It is, rather, an impulse towards authoritarianism.

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.

Authoritarianism is not a new, untested concept in the American electorate. Since the rise of Nazi Germany, it has been one of the most widely studied ideas in social science. While its causes are still debated, the political behavior of authoritarians is not. 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.

[RC one]

There are things that would make me “leave him”; for example, if he confessed to being born in another country.

[detch]

Hey TBBT, your anti-Trump postings are getting repetitive...

It’s Y-O-U-R wishful thinking, unrealistic dreams that I see popping up.

The answer to Trump populism is not authoritarian behavior, it’s his leading people who are fed up with both parties, but realizing there is only one that can actually go head-to-head, toe-to-toe against Hillary and bury her.

If you listen, he’s the only one aligned with the conservatives on immigration. All the others are pandering to the illegal immigrants and Muslims (most of whom are young males).

This is the year of the “illegal immigration” vote. As a matter of fact conservatives have been voting against it and for upholding the Constitution for years (read Ann Coulter on the subject). None of the others are understanding that.

[St_Thomas_Aquinas]

the main statistical variable that could be used to predict whether someone was a Trump supporter was not race, age, religion, income, or education. It is, rather, an impulse towards authoritarianism.

Just win, baby. You see that attitude a lot around here.

[Albion Wilde]

the political behavior of authoritarians is not. Authoritarians obey. They rally to and follow strong leaders.

Remember that the strong Authority that founded this nation when it was great was the Holy Bible and the God it speaks about. In returning the nation to its original purposes, a leader is also a follower. Many, if no most of Trump's followers are not following him so much as seeking someone who will defend their right to follow the authority of Truth.

[Eva]

Libertarians are authoritarians?

[CPT Clay]

Yep, we see it here at Free Repubic

[Kit cat]

WOW just WOW I love that video!!!! Thank you sooooo much for posting it!!!!! Wish it were on TV constantly for the LIV’S!!!!!

[Kit cat]

I BELIEVE Trump has come to realize over the years in business just how DESTRUCTIVE liberalism REALLY is!!! Let’s ALL face facts here folks until Obammie did ANY of us realize how destructive, and divided our great nation could actually become in 8 years??? I myself have been quite stunned why can’t Trump have had the same AWAKENING????

[BobL]

“It is, rather, an impulse towards authoritarianism.”

Yep, he’s not going to take crap from anyone, the GOPe, the Dems, Mexico, or a foreign country.

[St_Thomas_Aquinas]

This study helps explain a couple of things, including the mystery of Trump's appeal in the first place, especially given that he lacks a coherent political ideology, and frequently is either ignorant of policy or contradicts himself on points of policy within the span of 24 hours.

What Trump says or believes or proposes is quite beside the point, and always has been. Likewise, the excuse that "Trump is a reaction to the fecklessness of the establishment" is also false, even though many Trump supporters claim it. All things, including Trump's position on immigration, are just excuses for the fact that a large number of voters (sadly, especially on the Republican side) gravitate towards the person who is perceived as the strongest leader.

It also indicates why Trump's support has refused to leave him in spite of an avalanche of gaffes and embarrassing moments. To an authoritarian, showing respect for the authority figure because they are the authority figure is important, regardless of whether they are right or not. The mode of attack against Trump this entire time has been wrong because people have not understood why Trump has the support that he has.

The author goes on to explain the way to defeat an authoritarian:

The only way anyone will get Trump's supporters will be to out-Trump Trump. This doesn't mean being more hardline on immigration than he is, or insulting handicapped reporters, or anything of the like. It means projecting the air of a confident leader who is never wrong.

And it means, also, that if Trump ever loses his lead in the polls, a huge window of opportunity will open up. There is a reason that Trump cites polls showing him in the lead as evidence that he is right on policy questions , this is the number one thing his supporters respond to. If he loses that lead, he will likewise lose his support.

[America_Right]

A SOCIOLOGIST from the UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS!

Yup, and apparently this person has no idea what a Fascist actually is. Trump is the exact OPPOSITE of a fascist! The closest to that description he has come is that he had to pay off the stupid politicians to "grease the wheels" in order to run his business.

[moehoward]

One things for sure, the average anti-Trump thread on FR won’t change a single mind.

[Petrosius]

With respect to Trump's supporters in particular, the study found that the main statistical variable that could be used to predict whether someone was a Trump supporter was ... an impulse towards authoritarianism.

Then why do not all the liberal Democrats support him?

[woofie]

Why do I not find that comforting?

[RobinOfKingston]

The closest to that description he has come is that he had to pay off the stupid politicians to "grease the wheels" in order to run his business.

I don't know if your statement is right or wrong, but, I do know that someone who will "pay" can also be "bought" if the price is right. The price need not be paid in cold, hard cash. Power is also an intoxicating commodity. More so than money.

The merely greedy are not nearly as scary as the power hungry.

I repeat, I don't know if your statement is accurate or not. I have lived long enough to know not to let my enthusiasm (or someone else's) for anything or anyone rule my judgement.

[gunnyg]

“It seems odd that the GOPe thinks that insulting Trump supporters, who evidently comprise close to half of the Republican Party, is somehow a winning strategy.”
*******************************

Considering the probable source...it may well be the best compliment hoped for!

;)

Dick.G: AMERICAN !
aka: Gunny G
Semper Real AMERICAN
*****

[CaptainK]

I didn’t realize Erickson handed over his duties, that’s how long it’s been since I’ve looked over there.