What comes out of paranoia and fear? A desire for control. This simplified concept applies when considering the gradual and predictable rise of authoritarianism in the United States. The past decade has brought on events which have generated chaos and uncertainty in particular groups of American people. Great social and cultural change has seen white and traditionally Republican voters feel the threat of outside intervention. This subtle but overwhelming emotion has created the demand for an authoritarian leader, fearless against new threats and the unknown. Overall, the American society has become more uneasy, and with this paranoia comes a surprisingly high resurgence of extremist and hateful views once thought of as outdated. Authoritarianism
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The comparison made using these concepts suggests that Trump’s supporters rely heavily on system 1, recognizing that there is an issue at hand and, feeling panic and a loss of control, decide to rush in support of the first authoritative figure which promises to meet their demands, regardless of qualifications, background, or character. Those who oppose Trump, on the other hand, or even simply take the time to acknowledge his shortcomings as a politician compared to other candidates, make such assessments using their more calm and analytical system 2, and judge his ability to serve as president by considering his past, his personal qualities, and his validity as a serious …show more content…
Kahneman writes that system 1 “has biases... that it is prone to make in specified circumstances” (25). Along with its impulsive nature, this makes system 1 thinking responsible for the more discriminatory beliefs and feelings people express. This concept becomes easier to understand when considering the notoriety of Trump supporters as “expressing, in large numbers, ideas far more extreme than anything that has risen to such popularity in recent memory” (Taub). The support of authoritarianism as a solution to American issues, with system 1 instinctive thinking as a driving force, gives greater rise to hateful and extremist views which alienate outsiders and even minorities, as Amanda Taub writes that “...75 percent of Republican voters supported banning Muslims from the United States” and “...a third of Trump voters support banning gays and lesbians from the country” (Taub). The escalation of such radical views from internal opinions to expressed views present the powerful effect that low confidence and the appearance of a “savior” have on people’s attitudes. Trump emits the confidence and assuring personality of someone a system 1 thinker can support to bring positive
The comparison made using these concepts suggests that Trump’s supporters rely heavily on system 1, recognizing that there is an issue at hand and, feeling panic and a loss of control, decide to rush in support of the first authoritative figure which promises to meet their demands, regardless of qualifications, background, or character. Those who oppose Trump, on the other hand, or even simply take the time to acknowledge his shortcomings as a politician compared to other candidates, make such assessments using their more calm and analytical system 2, and judge his ability to serve as president by considering his past, his personal qualities, and his validity as a serious …show more content…
Kahneman writes that system 1 “has biases... that it is prone to make in specified circumstances” (25). Along with its impulsive nature, this makes system 1 thinking responsible for the more discriminatory beliefs and feelings people express. This concept becomes easier to understand when considering the notoriety of Trump supporters as “expressing, in large numbers, ideas far more extreme than anything that has risen to such popularity in recent memory” (Taub). The support of authoritarianism as a solution to American issues, with system 1 instinctive thinking as a driving force, gives greater rise to hateful and extremist views which alienate outsiders and even minorities, as Amanda Taub writes that “...75 percent of Republican voters supported banning Muslims from the United States” and “...a third of Trump voters support banning gays and lesbians from the country” (Taub). The escalation of such radical views from internal opinions to expressed views present the powerful effect that low confidence and the appearance of a “savior” have on people’s attitudes. Trump emits the confidence and assuring personality of someone a system 1 thinker can support to bring positive