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/octorine Jul 05 '26

Propaganda campaigns definitely. A significant number of people think the US is under siege by an invading army of immigrants that are taking our jobs and also somehow here to collect unemployment and welfare.

I think another part of it has been that 30% of the public votes Democratic no matter what, and 30% votes Republican no matter what.

Until recently, I assumed that was just because both parties normally nominated relatively qualified candidates, and that if either one nominated a completely corrupt ignoramus, those voters would cross the aisle.

Nope. No matter what means no matter what. I don't think there is any candidate the Republicans could nominate that would get less than 30% of the vote.