The Psychology Behind MAGA

[Anonymous]

This Wikipedia article has the most succinct overview of how MAGAs think.

They exhibit the following traits:

- A high degree of submission to the authorities who are perceived to be established and legitimate in the society in which one lives.

- A general aggressiveness, directed against various persons, that is perceived to be sanctioned by established authorities.

- A high degree of adherence to the social conventions that are perceived to be endorsed by society and its established authorities.


There is much more analysis. It is well worth the read:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right-wing_authoritarianism

[Anonymous]

What is to be gained by reading it

[Anonymous]

There’s a lot of studies about religious people’s attraction to authoritarian rule and the gullibility to believe propaganda.

I’d read those studies instead of Wikipedia.

Also read about Ronald Reagan’s presidential campaign, and how they targeted evangelicals.

Also, probably want to learn about the tea party.

This was a long time coming and DT was just the perfect storm.

Religious people are Cray Cray

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is to be gained by reading it

This. We know we can't change minds. We can't suddenly enlighten them and teach them critical thinking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is to be gained by reading it

This. We know we can't change minds. We can't suddenly enlighten them and teach them critical thinking.

Probably true, but it’s helps to understand their motivations.

Some people DO leave, though.

https://leavingmaga.org/

[Anonymous]

This is almost ten years old but nailed it early IMO.

“Matthew MacWilliams, a doctoral candidate at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, conducted a poll in which Republicans were asked four questions about child-rearing. With each question, respondents were asked which of two traits were more important in children:

independence or respect for their elders;
curiosity or good manners;
self-reliance or obedience;
being considerate or being well-behaved.

Psychologists use these questions to identify people who are disposed to favor hierarchy, loyalty and strong leadership — those who picked the second trait in each set — what experts call "authoritarianism." That many of Trump's supporters share this trait helps explain the success of his unconventional candidacy and suggests that his rivals will have a hard time winning over his adherents.”
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2016/02/01/how-your-parenting-style-predicts-whether-you-support-donald-trump/

[Anonymous]

I’m so glad Trump waited until he had one foot in the grave to enter politics. If he started in his 40s, he would 100% be America’s hitler.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is almost ten years old but nailed it early IMO.

“Matthew MacWilliams, a doctoral candidate at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, conducted a poll in which Republicans were asked four questions about child-rearing. With each question, respondents were asked which of two traits were more important in children:

independence or respect for their elders;
curiosity or good manners;
self-reliance or obedience;
being considerate or being well-behaved.

Psychologists use these questions to identify people who are disposed to favor hierarchy, loyalty and strong leadership — those who picked the second trait in each set — what experts call "authoritarianism." That many of Trump's supporters share this trait helps explain the success of his unconventional candidacy and suggests that his rivals will have a hard time winning over his adherents.”
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2016/02/01/how-your-parenting-style-predicts-whether-you-support-donald-trump/

These are Germans we talk about when we ask “how did that happen?”

[Anonymous]

It's good to understand the mental wiring that underpins the MAGA Mind. People outside of their bubble are often flabbergasted and baffled by their support for what seem like needlessly cruel and divisive policies.

IMO, this helps to explain why Hillary Clinton's and Kamala Harris' campaigns failed. Appeals to decency or "saving democracy" doesn't compute to MAGAs. To a MAGA, decency means obeying traditional social norms and not challenging the existing social hierarchy. To a MAGA, these are more important than saving democracy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m so glad Trump waited until he had one foot in the grave to enter politics. If he started in his 40s, he would 100% be America’s hitler.

I can't believe you people

[Anonymous]

In order to win, Democrats need to appeal to "South Park Conservatives." This group is predominantly young, male, and white and they mostly concerned with personal freedoms and have been alienated by Democrats' woke scolding over the last 10-15 years. Democrats needs to re-embrace Free Speech. Trump's comments about pulling licenses for broadcasters who are "against" him is an opportunity for a wedge issue.

[Anonymous]

It all stems from abortion. I truly believe that.

A conversation with a fellow liberal made me think. He said that if the left had someone like Trump, they would get the same kind of following. Of course I was appalled and disagreed. But then he said, “Think about it. What if someone came along who would and could massively reduce gun violence, secure our reproductive rights, and even say the quiet parts out loud to the entire world.” I pointed out that reducing gun violence would save so many lives, and so would reproductive rights. And he pointed out that this is how they feel about abortions. They believe every abortion is murdering a baby. If you believed that, is there anything that would be more important to you? It made me think. I have to admit that I would probably be willing to put up with and justify a lot from someone who could accomplish those things.

I am NOT trying to make excuses or justify maga. I am still disgusted, disappointed, and confused by their loyalty to Trump. But it did give me a slightly different perspective.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m so glad Trump waited until he had one foot in the grave to enter politics. If he started in his 40s, he would 100% be America’s hitler.

I can't believe you people

Have you ever studied history?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It all stems from abortion. I truly believe that.

A conversation with a fellow liberal made me think. He said that if the left had someone like Trump, they would get the same kind of following. Of course I was appalled and disagreed. But then he said, “Think about it. What if someone came along who would and could massively reduce gun violence, secure our reproductive rights, and even say the quiet parts out loud to the entire world.” I pointed out that reducing gun violence would save so many lives, and so would reproductive rights. And he pointed out that this is how they feel about abortions. They believe every abortion is murdering a baby. If you believed that, is there anything that would be more important to you? It made me think. I have to admit that I would probably be willing to put up with and justify a lot from someone who could accomplish those things.

I am NOT trying to make excuses or justify maga. I am still disgusted, disappointed, and confused by their loyalty to Trump. But it did give me a slightly different perspective.

The thing is, no, the left would not put up with an authoritarian and the traditional right would not either. the problem we have is that the traditional right has been compromised and with a slow boil, acceded to autocracy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m so glad Trump waited until he had one foot in the grave to enter politics. If he started in his 40s, he would 100% be America’s hitler.

I can't believe you people

Back at you.