Why would people support authoritarianism?

Only in theory. In practice? Very questionable.

Come on, guys. We've got thousands of years of history and a very large body of analysis to draw on. Commonly-repeated claims of political systems of all kinds can actually be evaluated now, instead of having to be fought purely on theoretical grounds.

We're saying why someone might support authoritarianism. Not why should people support it.

Then that particular philosophy is more suited for totalitarianism, which is a more specific subset of authoritarianism. Very few authoritarian governments strive to interfere in every aspect of an individual's life; in that regard, Nazi Germany and the Soviet Bloc were exceptions rather than the rule.

I do see your point, though. That's more why an individual would like that ideology, versus why an individual would support an authoritarian regime already in power. Not completely the same thing.

Also, there could be varying degrees to that sort of system, rather than 100% control.

Also, The Extremist Was Right can go a long ways if there's a legitimate threat. For example, in my work, the government the protagonist lives under can be very authoritarian, but they kind of have to be as they're at war against a much larger and much eviler enemy. Places further from the front line are generally freer.

Also, a Repressive, but Efficient system which provides a good or OK status quo to whatever group whose opinions matter to the state could be accepted by someone as necessary or "the safest bet".

edited 7th Jun '15 3:30:24 PM by Protagonist506

Well, yes. Every regime, no matter what the type, relies on someone's support. Even utterly unpopular regimes can usually hold onto power if they have elite buy-in, all the more so if they say to the elites, "if you don't support me and I fall, the people will lynch you". It's not uncommon to see them jumping ship when the writing's on the wall; in that regard Nazi Germany is actually something of an anomaly, in that the Nazi governance stayed functional and effective—and with public acquiescence—all the way until the Allied tanks rolled in.

The closest thing to an authoritarian democracy in Real Life is Turkey.

President Erdogan has full control over his power, and maintained power because he gave the people Bread and Circuses in the form of infrastructure spending and a better economy, but he's turned increasingly autocratic - he keeps outright banning social media, he controls the media, he bans opposition media, and he strongarms his entire party to toe his line, just as an example.

Yet he still has to run for office, a ton of people hate him, and there's still an opposition determined to obstruct him. As soon as the economy started slumping, the voters kicked out his majority in parliament, and his party now has to form a coalition government. That's one example of how to do it.

"Authoritarian" != "Dictatorship"

"Authoritarian" != "Totalitarian"

Why would people support authoritarianism?

• They are scared. The General Ripper, Insane Admiral seems like she has the answers. "They are plotting against us", "We" are in danger etc.
  • A weak government suffering losses on the battlefield or attacks from terrorists can and will embrace someone who appears to make a difference.
  • Epic fail on the battlefield: nothing prompts a change of leadership more than a Curb-Stomp Battle.

• The authoritarianism side sells itself as being able to provide the services and resources the last regime can't. In comes the new bunch promising to "Make the trains run on time" (even if they don't)

• Economic disaster: companies downsizin' inflation risin' in comes the revolution promising to fix all that. "Just let us make some changes".
  • A columnist was making a report of the PBS series "Nightly Business report" back in 2001. He was talking about the then economic scandals of a cable company president found guilty of Stealing from the Till, Enron and other white collars behaving badly. He said that the "Rock Star" execs felt invincible and the rash of them now wearing orange jumpsuits should scare the white collar world straight. It didn't happen but it's not a stretch to see a group to decide to take the next step and go to firing squads to capitalize on "the people's anger".

• And then there's the old guard. Those who stand still at the time when history turns the page. They remember when the country/state/city/etc was "good" back during [INSERT TIME PERIOD HERE]. In comes communism/gay rights/feminism/free trade/etc. Well enough of that nonsense. Then in comes the economic turmoil/war/disaster/etc. Things are changing. Well, they promise to stamp it out right this instant, a solution, dare we say a final solution to the problem of change.
  • And this gets billed as someone else's fault: outsiders/rich people/foreigners/the youth/the old/all of the above. Targeted groups get dehumanized for the "two minute hate" so it's easier to send them elsewhere.

edited 9th Jun '15 10:22:00 PM by TairaMai