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Authoritarianism

The Role of Threat, Evolutionary Psychology, and the Will to Power

MOUNT ALOYSIUS COLLEGE, bhastings{at}mtaloy.edu

Barbara Shaffer

UNIVERSITY OF AUCKLAND, b.shaffer{at}auckland.ac.nz

It has been demonstrated empirically and theoretically that threat is a primary contributor to the increased manifestations of the authoritarian personality. However, most conceptualizations of authoritarianism have failed to explore how these manifestations may have an adaptive value in the face of threat. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to employ the theories of evolutionary psychology in an attempt to provide a comprehensive explanation of authoritarianism. Attention is given to specific psychological mechanisms, such as coalition formation and social exchange, that when utilized by the authoritarian individual under conditions of threat, demonstrate adaptive value. Furthermore, a comprehensive explanation of authoritarianism is offered that encompasses variables related to authoritarianism, its association with a fundamental need to belong, and its larger philosophical relationship to Nietzsche's `will to power.'

Key Words: altruism • authoritarianism • coalition • hierarchy • threat • evolution • exchange • kinship • need to belong • will to power

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