Aspects of passive authoritarianism in the worst authoritarian cases
I had an AI APP list the 25 worst cases in history where authoritarianism caused death destruction, suffering, fear, and also, how authoritarianism worsened it
Then I asked it to list for each of the 25, how passive authoritarianism enabled these horrific portions of History.
Finally, I asked it to identify the 10 most common patterns of passive authoritarianism that allowed these horrific criminal historic events to happen.
Here's what I found.
After analyzing the 25 cases and common research on authoritarianism and passive support, the 10 most common aspects of passive authoritarian support by ordinary people across these regimes are:
Fear and Self-Preservation
People complied or stayed silent out of fear of punishment, imprisonment, torture, or death by secret police, military, or militias.
Conformity and Obedience to Authority
Social pressure and norm enforcement led people to obey laws, participate in rituals, and conform publicly to avoid suspicion and sanctions.
Internalization of Regime Ideology and Propaganda
Many people accepted or believed state narratives, nationalist or ideological messaging, which justified repression and exclusion of opponents.
Social Surveillance and Reporting
People monitored and reported on neighbors, friends, coworkers, or family, often out of fear or coercion, strengthening regime control and isolating dissenters.
Political Apathy and Sense of Powerlessness
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