Better Secure than Submissive

Abstract

In this chapter, the securitarian hypothesis is tested against the standard authoritarian hypothesis. At the personality level, the results show that Trump venerators actually are less likely to have the key authoritarian personality trait of submissiveness and are no more likely to value conventionalism and aggression. They are, however, more likely to display securitarian personality traits (e.g., to believe that “being prepared” is the best life motto). Parallel patterns appear on the issues believed to be “most important” where Trump venerators are more likely than non-Trump-venerating conservatives to mention a security issue such as gun rights, immigration reduction, or defense spending. Finally, at the societal level, Trump venerators are not more likely than non-Trump-venerating conservatives to value authoritarian leaders and conventionalism but they are significantly more likely to say that the worst thing possible for a country is to be perceived as weak.