I followed all of the Jan 6. hearings closely, and provided television and other commentary, but last night’s hearing was of particular interest because it focused on Trump’s personal role in inciting violence.
It thus dealt with an issue I had advised the House Jan. 6 Committee on: the ways authoritarian-minded leaders who are desperate to remain in power act recklessly, whether it’s starting a war, staging a coup (technically, a self-coup, to keep themselves in power), or some other desperate and violent move.
Such moments display the fundamental difference of such leaders from democratic heads of state in terms of psychology, temperament, and (absence of) moral code. As I write in Strongmen:
“The authoritarian playbook has no chapter on failure. It has no pages on how to deal with becoming a national disgrace, someone who is pelted with tomatoes and eggs when he appears in public after leaving office, like Augusto Pinochet, or forced into exile, like Idi Amin. Aging, defeat, and the ebbing of virile powers are difficult for leaders whose `entire sense of self is bound up in being revered,’ in psychological profiler Jerrold Post’s words.”
Democratic heads of state often see their departures from office as an opportunity to build on their leadership legacy. The authoritarian regards the end of being adulated by followers, controlling everything and everyone, and losing immunity from prosecution as existential threats.
Trump’s frenetic activity between Nov. 2020 and Jan. 6 to avoid accepting defeat falls into this category. And only authoritarian dynamics can make sense of Jan. 6 as a leader cult rescue operation carried out by the faithful. During this period, doing Trump’s bidding to help him stay in office became the GOP's most important job --one that had lawmakers like Senator Mike Lee busy 14 hours a day, by Lee’s own admission.
Yet one “remedy” (as Lee called these attempts to save his Leader from defeat) after another proved unworkable. Too many judges refused to act in a corrupt manner, and the military would not play Trump’s martial law or coup games.
So the recourse to violence by Trump on Jan. 6 became the logical option, including a plan to take out his own vice-president for disloyalty. As the hearing demonstrated, that violence was premeditated and integral to Trump’s coup attempt. It was also “bipartisan.” It targeted Republicans and Democrats alike, because strongmen like Trump have no allegiance to anyone but themselves, as devoted elite and grassroots followers eventually realize.
A common term for this personality type is bully. I agree withe those in the thread that believe that bullies spawn bullies. It's a ( sick) fun place with alota laughs (at others' expense). Who wouldn't want to join (she said sarcastically)?
We must look to un-do these smart alecs dominating our streets & thoroughfares. Having lived with bullies, I suggest you just truthfully conjure up one summary question here & there. Ask in a neutral voice. And continue to look deeply in their eyes as they offer an excuse/ explanation for their behavior. When they say inevitably " it's was just a joke!!!". Before accepting that, mutter two words ( neutrally, with curiosity) --- "how, so?". And wait patiently for them to explain their folly. Often works. Keep " how, so?" in you back pocket.
We, on the streets of America must un-do these bullies one-by-one. Underneath your common bully is a coward, waiting to be called out.
What a great thread, this week runs the full course. Some great thoughts / experiences. I must say, I do not share in any optimism. Jason Stanley, Yale, has been lecturing, using the title, "Preparing for a Fascist America." He, and many other highly capable, distinguished scholars, are giving a very clear warning. I am firmly in that camp. I would be very careful with anyone who suggests that pro-authoritarian dispositions are "innate." I know of no Developmental Psychologist that would support that. I would find a study suggesting that, folly. It would be clearly learned behavior.