Authoritarianism
Why Nicaragua's 'Tropical Spring' Failed to Unseat President Daniel Ortega
But for a few flare-ups of protest—all quickly and violently quashed—the movement to rid the country of its powerful ruler is all but over.
Is Recep ErdoÄźan Losing His Grip on Turkish Politics?
The authoritarian leader attempted to turn recent local elections into a referendum about national security. The results suggest his tactics did not work.
Why So Many Trump Supporters Are OK With the President's Lies
Authoritarianism has long been linked to support for Donald Trump. New research finds people with that mindset are less likely to care that a political leader is lying.
Viktor Orbán's Rise and the Power of Nationalist Politics
The prime minister of Hungary is currently dealing with worker protests, but his ascent was driven by anti-immigrant sentiment and difficult economic circumstances.
New Research Finds Political Radicals Harbor an Inflexible Cognitive Style That Transcends Political Views
Radicals are less able to recognize when they're wrong, even in a task having nothing to do with politics.
Another Threat to Our Democracy: Narcissism
New research finds self-centered people are less likely to support democratic values.
What Does the Election of Jair Bolsonaro Mean for Brazilian Democracy?
Bolsonaro's angry, populist campaign rhetoric led many newspapers and public figures worldwide to declare his candidacy a threat to the country's 33-year-old democracy.
Viewfinder: Mourning the Death of Young Protesters in Nicaragua
Friends and relatives carry the coffin containing the body of the student Gerald Velazquez, shot dead during clashes with riot police in a church near the National Autonomous University of Nicaragua.
How to Kill a Democracy
Three new books offer bracing lessons from European and Latin American history to help explain rising authoritarianism in the U.S. and beyond.
Authoritarianism: The Terrifying Trait That Trump Triggers
Latent authoritarianism is surprisingly common—and a threat to liberal democracy. Psychologist Karen Stenner explains how it is triggered.
Steven Pinker's Radical Brand of 'Contingent Optimism'
The Harvard University psychologist argues humans have the capability to deal with the huge challenges we face. But will we? That's a different question.
Dispatches: Documenting the Troubling Political Devolution in the Maldives
News and notes from Pacific Standard staff and contributors.
The Lede, Issue #2: Demolition Derby, Bryan Stevenson's Quest for Justice, BuzzFeed Reader's Costco Essay, and More
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Inside the Minds of Hardcore Trump Supporters
New research finds the president's earliest and strongest followers embody a particularly belligerent strain of authoritarian thinking.
Putin's Calculated Disinterest in Commemorating a Revolution
Reveling in the anniversary of the Bolshevik uprising is a difficult proposition for an authoritarian government.
What Will a Trump Presidency Look Like?
A University of Chicago law professor foresees a potential disconnect between image and reality.
Why All the Violence at Donald Trump Rallies?
The presidential candidate is beloved by people with authoritarian mindsets, who are often supportive of the use of violence.
Trump's Appeal to the Authoritarian Personality
A quick primer on the psychological force driving support for the Republican front-runner.