Authoritarianism: Social Dominance Orientation

 Why you should avoid voting for people who appear to be strong leaders

Social dominance orientation (SDO) is a personality trait that predicts social and political attitudes. People with high SDO prefer and support social hierarchies in which some groups dominate others. Understanding SDO can help us see why some people support authoritarianism and hierarchical structures in society.

Those with high SDO believe that society should be structured in a way where some groups are superior to others. Consequently they also think it is acceptable for these dominant groups to have more power and resources concomitant with carrying greater responsibilities whether this setup benefits society as a whole or not. The certainties of a social hierarchy are the main objective.

People with high SDO tend to exhibit certain attitudes and behaviours. They prefer social systems where groups are ranked, with some at the top and others at the bottom. They believe that inequality is natural and sometimes necessary for society to function. They often support the use of force or aggression to maintain social order and control over subordinate groups. They resist changes that promote equality and tend to favour traditional power structures. 

Authoritarianism is a political system where a single leader or group holds significant power, often at the expense of individual freedoms and democratic processes. There is a strong connection between high SDO and authoritarian attitudes. People with high SDO often support authoritarian leaders who promise to maintain social order and protect the interests of the dominant group. They favour policies that enforce social hierarchies, such as strict law enforcement, military interventions, and punitive measures against marginalised groups. 

Often the definitions of marginalised groups can shift to include those who previously supported the social dominance leaders, and indeed history has shown how all sub-groups and sub-leaders are eventually rejected as an authoritarian regime consumes its own base due to fear of subversion. This is because most people continue to hold beliefs in freedom and democracy which threaten high SDO leaders. High SDO individuals may see democratic processes as a threat to the established order and prefer more centralised control. Ultimately this centralised control narrows to only one isolated paranoid leader. This is why authoritarianism and social dominance organisation is always an increasingly fragile one way street towards collapse.

The connection between SDO and authoritarianism is rooted in certain psychological traits. High SDO individuals tend to submit to authorities who represent and enforce social hierarchies. They may support aggressive actions against those who challenge the dominant group's status. They adhere strictly to societal norms and traditions that reinforce hierarchies.

High levels of SDO and authoritarian attitudes can have significant impacts on society. These attitudes support policies that widen the gap between different social groups. They can lead to increased tension and conflict between groups as dominant groups enforce their power. High SDO and authoritarianism can undermine democratic institutions and processes, leading to less freedom and increasing dysfunction in society.