Twilight of Democracy: The Seductive Lure of Authoritarianism

Why does someone succumb to authoritarianism?

Why would someone succumb to the lure of authoritarianism? This question ran through my mind as I read Anne Applebaum’s Twilight of Democracy: The Seductive Lure of Authoritarianism. As I compiled a list of the contributing factors, a second thought appeared--we are all susceptible, no matter how educated we may be nor how much money we earn. Please note. Anne Applebaum reminds us that she refrained from providing a list of factors, as she urges us not to look for simple answers. It could be as little as one or it could be all of descriptors that pushed someone into the arms of totalitarianism. How would one ever know? Maybe this list should be seen as reasons rather than factors or descriptors. Regardless, please view what I have written as a gambit. Any mistakes are totally mine. Internal Factors (Reasons) • A person’s eccentricity leads him or her down the path of fanaticism and conspiracy (p. 9). • Inflammatory language is appealing (p. 9). • A political party that promotes opposing moral views of their current family situation is attractive (p. 10). • A scapegoat provides a simple answer to their country’s problems (p. 11). • Some are searching for a new identify that makes them feel special or superior (p. 12). • People can succumb to irrationality and their passions (p. 15). • Some people disdain complexity (p. 16). • Members of the intellectual elite become dissatisfied with the objective pursuit of truth to become promoters of extreme propaganda and conspiracy (p. 18). • Some believe that existing institutions are corrupt and need to be destroyed (p. 20). • Some are repulsed by the perceived weakness of the political center (p. 20). • Some are simply opportunists (p. 20). • Some who are deeply religious feel threatened by a secular society (p. 21). • Some are attracted to the idea of chaos (p. 21). • Many are looking to redefine their nations and rewrite social contracts (p. 21). • Some want to alter the rules of democracy so that they will never lose po...