Category Archives: Authoritarianism

Authoritarianism describes a form of government characterized by strict obedience to the authority of the state, which often maintains and enforces social control through the use of oppressive measures. The term may also be used to describe the personality or management style of an individual or organization which seeks to dominate those within its sphere of influence and has little regard for building consensus.

Use of this category typically indicates other categories, like National Security, also apply.

Tracking the Growth of American Authoritarianism

“Can There Really Be Fascist People In A Democracy?”
Libertarians are stealthily taking over America.
Since the 1971 Powell Memo, America has moved closer and closer to Fascism.

 

Our Two Major Political Parties – The Illusion and Realities of Their Essences

Posted on January 1, 2013 by Andy Hailey

Over the years, some have said that there is little difference between our two major political parties. This is certainly a favorite characterization made by third-party members like Libertarians, who actually represent the extremes of both major parties. However, if … Continue reading →

  • Related WAWG Article: <a href="https://the-wawg-blog.org/?tag=john-dean" title="Those who finalized the creation of our disfunctional Congress" target="_blank">Conservatives without Conscience</a>
Posted in Authoritarianism   |   1 Comment   |  

Disaster Relief Is Immoral and Requires Privatization – Who Believes This and Why?

Posted on November 5, 2012 by Andy Hailey

Here is a portion of the transcript from the June 13, 2011, Republican presidential primary debate where Romney is asked about transferring disaster relief to the states – a conservative, anti-federal government idea. KING: What else, Governor Romney? You’ve been … Continue reading →

  • Supporting Articles: <a href="http://www.nationofchange.org/global-warming-systemically-caused-hurricane-sandy-1351918218" title="Global warming systemically caused Hurricane Sandy" target="_blank">Systemic vs. Direct Causation Relative to Global Warming</a>
  • Related Web Article: <a href="http://www.nationofchange.org/you-re-your-own-society-1352471262" title="No man is an island, or every man for himself? Yesterday, America decided which would be its watchword." target="_blank">The On Your Own Society</a>, <a href="http://truth-out.org/opinion/item/12756-the-gops-privatization-pathology" title="It's a bit of a mystery, calling more for psychological inquiry than policy analysis." target="_blank">The GOP's Privatization Pathology</a>
Posted in Authoritarianism, Obsession with Punishment   |   Tagged ,   |   Leave a comment   |  

Why Are Some Americans More Concerned About Consuming Than Preserving Their Democracy?

Posted on October 16, 2012 by Andy Hailey

The excerpts below are from a recent article by Henry Giroux, titled “Why Don’t Americans Care About Democracy at Home?” The basic answer is “economic Darwinism,” which “promotes a politics of cruelty,” “undermines all forms of solidarity capable of challenging … Continue reading →

Posted in Authoritarianism, Corporate Intrusion, Media-Info Control, Obsession with Punishment   |   Leave a comment   |  

More Research Invalidates Extreme Right-wing Principle – Solely “Self-made”

Posted on September 26, 2012 by Andy Hailey

The extreme right-wing, strict father, authoritarian family model, which is represented in many ways by the Romney/Ryan twosome, includes the principle of the self-made individual – each person is totally responsible for their success. This is what George Lakoff calls … Continue reading →

  • Related WAWG Article: <a href="https://the-wawg-blog.org/?p=1846" title="The empowerment infrastructure [of our society through its government], provided by taxes, is usually taken for granted, hidden, or ignored." target="_blank">Causation – Paying Taxes Contributes to Everyone’s Success</a>
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2012 Election – Are We Going to Return to a National Legalized Gozzle-up Ponzi Scheme?

Posted on September 21, 2012 by Andy Hailey

(The following is a reposting of an entry from August of 2010 with minor updates.) This posting was inspired by an article at Rational Revolution. It takes another look at the disproportionate shift in income to the mega and ultra … Continue reading →

  • Related Web Article: <a href="http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2012/09/17/856711/ten-inequality-charts-occupy/" title="Romney, Ryan and the Devil's Budget: Will America Keep Its Soul?" target="_blank">Occupy Wall Street One Year Later: Ten Key Charts About Inequality</a>, <a href="http://truth-out.org/opinion/item/11872-henry-a-giroux-why-dont-americans-care-about-democracy-at-home" title="The richest 400 Americans owning as much as the bottom 150 million put together" target="_blank">Why Don't Americans Care About Democracy at Home?</a>
  • Supporting Articles: <a href="http://www.offthechartsblog.org/understanding-the-federal-tax-debate/" title="A compilation of key CBPP analyses, blog posts, and graphics that provide context for the debate around federal taxes" target="_blank">Understanding the Federal Tax Debate</a>
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Moral Principles – What Conservatives Know and Progressives Take for Granted

Posted on September 4, 2012 by Andy Hailey

Recent political ads lie about President Obama and his suggestions to the states on the national welfare program. As stated in a recent Truthout article, the producers of these ads are targeting “white working class voters” who harbor “deep resentment … Continue reading →

  • More ...: <a href="http://www.thelittleblueblog.org/the-little-blue-book-3/" title="THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO THINKING AND TALKING DEMOCRATIC" target="_blank">The Little Blue Book</a>
Posted in Authoritarianism, Common Wealth, Protect & Empower   |   Tagged   |   Leave a comment   |  

Destroying America’s Soul – The Devil’s Budget

Posted on August 28, 2012 by Andy Hailey

In his latest article, George Lakoff discusses how The Devils Budget proposed by the opponents to President Obama will eventually destroy the soul of our democracy by defunding all of its Public infrastructure: public protection, public empowerment, public education, public … Continue reading →

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Authoritarian Plan for a Koch Brothers’ America – Update to The Powell Plan

Posted on August 11, 2012 by Andy Hailey

Just over a year ago, I wrote a post about The Powell Memo. This memo has been referred to by others like Henry Giroux and Richard Wolff. This memo, by Lewis F. Powell and dated August 23, 1971, was a … Continue reading →

Posted in Authoritarianism, Corporate Intrusion   |   Tagged ,   |   1 Comment   |  

The Aurora, Colorado, Shootings – Fear Based Gun Ownership Fulfills an Authoritarian Need to Severely Punish Those Not Like Them

Posted on August 3, 2012 by Andy Hailey

Those most likely to become authoritarians (social dominators or followers) are raised from a young age in a strict-father environment where violent punishment is used aggressively. And, according to James Dobson, the sooner it is applied, the better. Dread of … Continue reading →

  • Related WAWG Article: <a href="https://the-wawg-blog.org/?p=2494" target="_blank" title="The extreme right of the extreme right">Right-wing Authoritarian Belief in Strict Punishment Produces Domestic Terrorists</a>
  • Supporting Articles: <a href="http://truth-out.org/news/item/10469-colorado-shooting-is-about-more-than-gun-culture" target="_blank" title="Brutal masculine authority and the celebration of violence it embraces have become the new norm in America.">Colorado Shooting Is About More Than Gun Culture</a>
  • Related Web Article: <a href="http://www.wjla.com/articles/2012/07/colorado-theater-copycat-shooting-suspect-arrested-in-anne-arundel-county-78231.html" target="_blank" title="Neil Prescott, 28, was taken into custody in Crofton on Thursday night">Maryland mass shooting suspect, arrested</a>
Posted in Authoritarianism, Human Rights Abuse, Obsession with Punishment   |   Tagged   |   2 Comments   |  

Our Empathy and Education Deficits – Nurtured by Right-wing Authoritarians, But Beatable

Posted on June 25, 2012 by Andy Hailey

The two deficits, their causes, and solutions summarized below from writings by former Senator Barack Obama and Professor Henry Giroux, author of many books including Zombie Politics and Casino Capitalism, are much more critical to America’s future than the deficit … Continue reading →

  • Supporting Articles: <a href="http://www.cognitivepolicyworks.com/blog/2012/06/22/the-real-reason-conservatives-always-win/" target="_blank" title="When two groups compete, the one with the most social cohesion wins in the long run.">The REAL Reason Conservatives Always Win</a>
  • Related WAWG Article: <a href="http://empathiccivilization.com/" target="_blank" title="The Race to Global Consciousness in a World in Crisis">The Empathic Civilization</a>
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