The Tea Party Movement Is a National Embarrassment

[Emit]

~snip~

In Authoritarianism & Polarization in American Politics, a revealing work of political science published last year that unfortunately went somewhat unnoticed, Marc J. Hetherington and Jonathan D. Weiler describe a specific worldview -- authoritarianism -- which they argue lies at the heart of political polarization in modern American politics. (It should be noted: their use of the term is not related to the more quotidian and overly negative connotation associated with despotic regimes; rather, it describes a particular lens through which certain people view the world, based on a wide range of scholarly work spanning the fields of psychology, sociology, political science, and other cognitive sciences.)

According to Hetherington and Weiler, authoritarians tend to rely more on emotion and instinct in decision-making, view politics in black and white, resent confusion or ambiguity in the social order, and are suspicious of specific groups who they believe could alter that order (typically gays and immigrants). The difference between authoritarians and nonauthoritarians, according to the authors, becomes far more pronounced during tumultuous economic or social periods when there are more perceived "threats." During such times, authoritarians in particular lose accuracy motivation and, "become much less interested than nonauthoritarians in seeking information that balanced in its approach, and much more interested in pursuing one-sided information that reinforc existing beliefs." Or in other words, they are highly susceptible to misinformation campaigns, the likes of which pervaded the health care reform debate last summer.

Most every characteristic of an authoritarian worldview lends itself well to the impassioned rhetoric of the Tea Party movement and the shrewd players operating behind the scenes and atop the soap box. The movement's overly simplified, often-confused solutions to complex problems align with authoritarians' Manichean worldview. That Tom Tancredo's anti-immigrant laced speech at last weekend's convention was well received comes as no surprise. And that this is the group who so often embraces proven falsehoods and spin-narratives to defend its anti-administration agenda should speak for itself with regards to accuracy motivation.

Despite the criticism it receives, the Tea Party continues to be praised as a political force. It is loud, passionate, and generally unconcerned with pesky things like facts or reasoned, practical solutions to the country's problems. This bodes ill for 2010's political environment, and it is a shameful representation of what constitutes an American political or social movement. While the Tea Party may alienate some who see it for the profit-machine that it is, others who share the fearful, intolerant authoritarian worldview that it is increasingly coalescing around will be lured in and pitted against the very people in power who could actually help them. That this movement has grown political legs is too bad, and by Hetherington and Weiler's account, it means even more polarization is yet to come.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/stuart-whatley/the-tea-party-movement-is_b_455883.html

[Skittles]

1. total ignorance on display for the world to see

[Emit]

6. History will not look favorably on this time

and folks across the globe are scratching their heads.

Skittles - your hearts make a beautiful array!

[musiclawyer]

2. These guys are pretty much spot on; however,..............

equally embarrasing is the way the Obama administration failed to anticipate this problem and create a coherent vision and message from the get-go that would have muted the noise made by the crazies and their backers. Even the exact same policy decisions ( half ass compromise attemps at everything) could have been bolstered by a better, more unified message. These are critical days for BHO. If he's as smart as we think, he KNOWS the people he put in charge of things have failed miserably. He is going to have top LEAD all by his lonesome until people like Rahm and Tim K are dispatched. Is it in him? It's not too late, but only time will tell.

[Emit]

4. I agree, musiclawyer, that this kind of nut wing stuff that dominates mainstream now

needed to be countered head on from the beginning. I felt that way even during the primaries and the GE. Interestingly, I perceive Obama as an authoritative personality, where he is more apt seek balance and allow for open dialog - qualities that authoritarians perceive as weak and passive. While I respect that about him, sometimes I wish I could light a fire under him! I read and posted about the authoritarian personality construct as defined and written about by John Dean (Conservatives Without Conscience) and Dr. Bob Altemeyer. Dr. Altemeyer discusses how insufferable these authoritarians can be and how they have to be called out on their antics, lies and behavior - and how we have to organize against them. Obama and his crew should know better, imho.

[Kurovski]

3. Puts it very well.

even the name is an insult, riding on a real revolutionary event in american history.

they are an insult to every "real"--that's right, teabaggers--"real", concerned and thoughtful American.

[Emit]

5. If there was ever a construct that helps to explain right wingers'

intellectual dishonesty, it's the stuff I have read about authoritarian personality types. (Bob Altemeyer and John Dean, noted up thread)

I have not read this book mentioned in the OP, but I have added it to my reading list now.

[Blue_Tires]

7. k+r