Consciousness, Authoritarianism, and Political Violence

Abstract

The paper "Consciousness, Authoritarianism, and Political Violence" by Stephan A. Schwartz explores the increasing instances of political violence in the United States, particularly among supporters of Donald Trump, who are often evangelical Christians. The study examines the psychological and sociological mechanisms that drive this violence, drawing on historical examples and psychological experiments, such as those by Stanley Milgram, to explain the phenomenon of authoritarian charisma. It highlights the growing authoritarianism worldwide and calls for a deeper understanding of these dynamics to mitigate their impact on society.