Authoritarianism and Polarization in American Politics

Why it’s on the list: Hetherington and Weiler’s argument that American polarization sorted along an authoritarian/non-authoritarian axis, not just a left/right one — which is why the parties now disagree about temperament as much as policy.

Where I saw it: Recommended in a BookTok video of political-psychology reading by Prof. Mira (@mira_is_psyched), saved to Kyle’s Apple Note “Books To Read”. Video: https://www.tiktok.com/@mira_is_psyched/video/7443572396558142750

Connections

• Authoritarianism — the measured variable.
• Democracy — what the sorting does to it.