Despite our differences, most of us share a desire for freedom and justice. Yet, around the world, support for authoritarianism is growing. 

How is this possible? How do so many people come to support authoritarianism when most of us believe in values that are best protected by democratic leaders and institutions? 

Historically, authoritarians have often come to power through bloodshed. But in the 21st century, democracies are rarely overthrown through violent force. Instead, they fall apart when democratically elected leaders use their power to undermine the free societies that put them there.

Authoritarians rely on and enforce strict obedience to authority, denying personal freedoms, punishing dissent, and eliminating checks on power. Knowing their policies benefit only themselves and their collaborators, authoritarian leaders manipulate human psychology to control people and manufacture support.

Some of the strategies in the authoritarian playbook include:

• Using dehumanizing and “us or them” rhetoric. This “divide and rule” strategy pits groups against one another, making us believe it’s impossible to come together to push for change.
• Blaming specific groups for the nation’s problems. Collective blame often targets people of certain identities or professions, and this “divide and distract” strategy prevents us from concentrating on real solutions and accountability.
• Normalizing political violence and using state power to punish opposition or dissent. 
• Spreading misinformation and distorted narratives that break the public’s trust in the people and practices that keep our democracy strong, such as undermining confidence in free and fair elections or the rule of law.

The cornerstone of this manipulation lies in taking advantage of our brain’s stress response. When our brain detects danger, it triggers mental and physical reactions intended to keep us safe. While these reactions have served human survival well, authoritarian leaders exploit the following reactions we may have in order to maintain and grow their power:

• Drawing split-second conclusions and drastically narrowing our focus—undermining our ability to see through simplistic, divisive rhetoric or make rational decisions. 
• Ramping up paranoia and anticipating threats at every turn—blocking us from building relationships with people different from us.
• Numbing emotions under extreme stress—preventing us from sustaining hope through ongoing political turmoil. 

If we feel excluded or dehumanized based on a core identity, such as race, religion, or gender, we may respond with fight-or-flight instincts, filtering everything through the lens of danger. Feeling threatened in this way makes us more likely to support leaders who promise protection, even if it means reducing others’ rights. 

These divisive dynamics are further amplified by the echo chambers that we create, both in person and online, when we increasingly associate with only people who think like us. As the fear of others grows, our brain prioritizes survival and in-group belonging, meaning that if people close to us support political violence or curtailing others’ rights, we may begin to avoid questioning those positions. 

How can we counter these dynamics? As individuals, we build our resilience against authoritarian tactics by recognizing when we are being manipulated or divided, such as:

• Making it a priority to connect with other people. Build strong, trusting relationships. 
• Paying attention to how political language or actions make us feel. When we notice ourselves feeling stressed, take a moment to step back, breathe, and focus our energy to ensure our words and actions align with our values.
• Recognizing and being skeptical of extreme political language. Practice identifying and rejecting divisive rhetoric and harmful “us or them” attitudes in media and public discussions.
• Challenging misconceptions that portray the entire “other side” as hostile towards us. Question these assumptions, appreciate the complexity of others, and stay curious. 

Collective action is also essential to build and sustain large and effective pro-democracy movements. Time-tested strategies teach us that we need to organize and collaborate across differences, center those directly targeted by authoritarians, and support accountability by spreading accurate information and defending credible news sources. 

Through individual and collective action, we can all help counter authoritarianism and work for a more just and equitable society. By joining across our differences, we have the power to create a world where freedom, dignity, and democracy are for all of us—no exceptions.

Source: https://mailchi.mp/beyondconflictint/the-authoritarian-playbook?e=0b4c8d5ac1