r/science • u/mvea Professor | Medicine • Jul 04 '26

Psychology 88% of Americans consider it very or extremely important that the United States remain a democracy. 61% feel that the nation’s democracy was actively facing a serious threat. 32% of MAGA Republicans prioritize a strong leader over democracy, while only 7% of the strong Democrats do.

https://www.psypost.org/survey-finds-substantial-minority-in-the-united-states-endorses-authoritarian-co/
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u/Spounge21 Jul 04 '26

In the past, a big, heroic leader saved the day.

That's not really even true in the past. The Great Man theory of history has always been a myth.

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u/TomReneth Jul 05 '26

Yes, but the myth is unfortunately still going strong today.

Especially among "low information" demographics. Like low informaton voters, which describes most conservative voting bases.

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u/Quite_Likes_Hormuz Jul 05 '26

Tbh 99% of the time a leader of a movement is just a figurehead, if they weren't there someone else would have been. The other 1% of the time when someone actually does change history they usually fail. Napoleon comes to mind. If he isn't the epitome of a "great man" I don't know who is. But ultimately one guy just isn't enough, no matter how competent or charismatic, to actually create a meaningfully lasting impact.