Dr. Karen Stenner
@karenstenner.bsky.social
Political psychologist & behavioral scientist, best known for long ago predicting the rise of Trump-like figures under the kinds of conditions we now confront.
Pinned
Magazine: Essay – Authoritarianism – HOPE not hate
Liberal democracy has now exceeded many people’s capacity to tolerate it. A HOPE not hate special essay by Karen Stenner.
hopenothate.org.uk
Here's what I'm mostly about.
Written a few months before the 2020 US election.
And I stand by every word today.
hopenothate.org.uk/2020/11/01/a...
Written a few months before the 2020 US election.
And I stand by every word today.
hopenothate.org.uk/2020/11/01/a...
Reposted by Dr. Karen Stenner
Another big FU from Harvard… free online courses on the US government, the US constitution, civic engagement, and more.
pll.harvard.edu/subject/gove...
pll.harvard.edu/subject/gove...
Government | Harvard University
Browse the latest Government courses from Harvard University.
pll.harvard.edu
May 24, 2025 at 2:58 AM
Another big FU from Harvard… free online courses on the US government, the US constitution, civic engagement, and more.
pll.harvard.edu/subject/gove...
pll.harvard.edu/subject/gove...
Reposted by Dr. Karen Stenner
This % roughly correlates with @karenstenner.bsky.social 's research finding that appx 1/3 of people are predisposed toward authoritarianism. I can't stop wondering if there's anything we can do about it or if that figure is permanently baked in. hopenothate.org.uk/2020/11/01/a...
April 29, 2025 at 2:22 PM
This % roughly correlates with @karenstenner.bsky.social 's research finding that appx 1/3 of people are predisposed toward authoritarianism. I can't stop wondering if there's anything we can do about it or if that figure is permanently baked in. hopenothate.org.uk/2020/11/01/a...
Reposted by Dr. Karen Stenner
"Liberal democracy has now exceeded many people’s capacity to tolerate it." Including, one might add, "intellectuals" in Germany. @karenstenner.bsky.social
"Bei grundlegenden Richtungsfragen reicht die demokratische Legitimation durch gegebenenfalls knappe Mehrheitsentscheidungen nicht aus."
Implikation: Tyrannei der Minderheit.
In any case: Welche andere Form von Legitimation wäre denn good enough für diese Intellektuellen...?
Implikation: Tyrannei der Minderheit.
In any case: Welche andere Form von Legitimation wäre denn good enough für diese Intellektuellen...?
Kriegsgefahr: Lasst uns nicht dieselben Fehler wie in der Pandemie machen
Wir dürfen beim Thema Krieg und Frieden nicht in Muster früherer Diskurse verfallen. Es braucht eine differenzierte und sachliche Art der Auseinandersetzung.
www.zeit.de
May 1, 2025 at 8:36 AM
"Liberal democracy has now exceeded many people’s capacity to tolerate it." Including, one might add, "intellectuals" in Germany. @karenstenner.bsky.social
Reposted by Dr. Karen Stenner
I’m mindful that @karenstenner.bsky.social, an expert on the authoritarian mindset, says that UBI is the single most important policy for governments who wish to fend off right wing extremism.
Dear Labour, now would be a good time to start implementing some good old fashioned left wing economic populism if you want to be a relevant political party after 2029. UBI, a properly funded NHS, a wealth tax, they're probably the only things that'll save you now
May 3, 2025 at 6:51 AM
I’m mindful that @karenstenner.bsky.social, an expert on the authoritarian mindset, says that UBI is the single most important policy for governments who wish to fend off right wing extremism.
Reposted by Dr. Karen Stenner
I think so and so does @karenstenner.bsky.social
The Hidden Reasons Authoritarianism Is Growing — And How to Reverse It
It takes all kinds. Humanity would have never made it this far without a multitude of people with a wide diversity of personality types and preferences. It is our individual differences wherein lies o...
www.scottsantens.com
May 10, 2025 at 1:51 PM
I think so and so does @karenstenner.bsky.social
Reposted by Dr. Karen Stenner
I've been researching the idea of Unconditional Universal Basic Income since 2013. Here's a collection of findings I've compiled from various UBI experiments and studies of cash transfer programs around the world.
This will be a VERY LONG and ongoing thread focused entirely on empirical evidence. 🧵
This will be a VERY LONG and ongoing thread focused entirely on empirical evidence. 🧵
December 5, 2024 at 3:47 PM
I've been researching the idea of Unconditional Universal Basic Income since 2013. Here's a collection of findings I've compiled from various UBI experiments and studies of cash transfer programs around the world.
This will be a VERY LONG and ongoing thread focused entirely on empirical evidence. 🧵
This will be a VERY LONG and ongoing thread focused entirely on empirical evidence. 🧵
Reposted by Dr. Karen Stenner
In a democracy it's unrealistic to think we'll ever achieve a golden era of consensus. But we can bring authoritarians back into the pro-democracy fold, incrementally, by emphasizing our commonalities, and with appeals to empathy, fairness and justice. ⤵️for more.
www.bostonglobe.com/2024/10/31/o...
www.bostonglobe.com/2024/10/31/o...
Disinformation and the death of democracy - The Boston Globe
Societies seem to thrive when there’s a balanced mix of folks who monitor the boundaries and guard against the strange and unfamiliar, and others who seek out novelty and variety.
www.bostonglobe.com
December 12, 2024 at 3:41 PM
In a democracy it's unrealistic to think we'll ever achieve a golden era of consensus. But we can bring authoritarians back into the pro-democracy fold, incrementally, by emphasizing our commonalities, and with appeals to empathy, fairness and justice. ⤵️for more.
www.bostonglobe.com/2024/10/31/o...
www.bostonglobe.com/2024/10/31/o...
Reposted by Dr. Karen Stenner
This is a list I post from time to time. My answer to a reader who asked me: what could journalists do NOW to break with some of their more corrosive habits. You would think it would grow out-of-date, but...
December 13, 2024 at 1:43 PM
This is a list I post from time to time. My answer to a reader who asked me: what could journalists do NOW to break with some of their more corrosive habits. You would think it would grow out-of-date, but...
Reposted by Dr. Karen Stenner
If we weren't at such a weird moment in history, the collapse of Assad's regime would be widely understood as a huge success for the Biden administration, which pursued sanctions on Russia and Iran as well as Syria, armed Ukraine and thus weakened Russia, and supported Syrian democrats and activists
December 13, 2024 at 7:05 PM
If we weren't at such a weird moment in history, the collapse of Assad's regime would be widely understood as a huge success for the Biden administration, which pursued sanctions on Russia and Iran as well as Syria, armed Ukraine and thus weakened Russia, and supported Syrian democrats and activists
Reposted by Dr. Karen Stenner
"...with the right kinds of appeals and support, a significant portion of authoritarians can reject the strongman who constantly invokes chaos and disorder but who never delivers that promised second act of renewed unity and consensus."
—political psychologist @karenstenner.bsky.social
—political psychologist @karenstenner.bsky.social
December 12, 2024 at 3:41 PM
"...with the right kinds of appeals and support, a significant portion of authoritarians can reject the strongman who constantly invokes chaos and disorder but who never delivers that promised second act of renewed unity and consensus."
—political psychologist @karenstenner.bsky.social
—political psychologist @karenstenner.bsky.social
Reposted by Dr. Karen Stenner
I imagine one of the reasons
people cling to their hates so stubbornly is because they sense, once hate is gone, they will be forced to deal with pain - James Baldwin
people cling to their hates so stubbornly is because they sense, once hate is gone, they will be forced to deal with pain - James Baldwin
December 1, 2024 at 1:30 PM
I imagine one of the reasons
people cling to their hates so stubbornly is because they sense, once hate is gone, they will be forced to deal with pain - James Baldwin
people cling to their hates so stubbornly is because they sense, once hate is gone, they will be forced to deal with pain - James Baldwin
Reposted by Dr. Karen Stenner
Why did Jeff Bezos appoint Rupert Murdoch's right-hand man to the top job at Washington Post? To do his bidding. And when he did journalists & readers rebelled.
This week, I write about a parallel revolt inside the Guardian & Observer & why press ownership matters
open.substack.com/pub/broligar...
This week, I write about a parallel revolt inside the Guardian & Observer & why press ownership matters
open.substack.com/pub/broligar...
All The President's Men
Rupert Murdoch, Jeff Bezos & why press ownership matters.
open.substack.com
December 2, 2024 at 10:43 AM
Why did Jeff Bezos appoint Rupert Murdoch's right-hand man to the top job at Washington Post? To do his bidding. And when he did journalists & readers rebelled.
This week, I write about a parallel revolt inside the Guardian & Observer & why press ownership matters
open.substack.com/pub/broligar...
This week, I write about a parallel revolt inside the Guardian & Observer & why press ownership matters
open.substack.com/pub/broligar...
Reposted by Dr. Karen Stenner
What should we think (and do) about the fact that Christians voted for Trump over Harris by two to one?
alexevansuk.substack.com/p/bad-faith
alexevansuk.substack.com/p/bad-faith
Bad faith?
On Christians and Trump
alexevansuk.substack.com
December 3, 2024 at 10:29 AM
What should we think (and do) about the fact that Christians voted for Trump over Harris by two to one?
alexevansuk.substack.com/p/bad-faith
alexevansuk.substack.com/p/bad-faith
Reposted by Dr. Karen Stenner
A key asymmetry of this era of American politics and how it’s covered is that Trump is expected to do bad and corrupt things, so when he does it barely qualifies as news. But Dems are expected to be beyond reproach, so anything that seems even slightly suspect is a huge scandal.
December 2, 2024 at 11:09 PM
A key asymmetry of this era of American politics and how it’s covered is that Trump is expected to do bad and corrupt things, so when he does it barely qualifies as news. But Dems are expected to be beyond reproach, so anything that seems even slightly suspect is a huge scandal.
Reposted by Dr. Karen Stenner
"Trump suggested to Trudeau that Canada become the 51st state, which caused the prime minister and others to laugh nervously, sources told Fox News. But he continued, telling Trudeau that prime minister is a better title, though he could still be governor” www.foxnews.com/politics/tru...
Trump suggests Canada become 51st state after Trudeau said tariff would kill economy: sources
President-elect Trump told Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau his country should become the 51st state if it can't fix trade and immigration issues without ripping off the U.S.
www.foxnews.com
December 3, 2024 at 2:51 AM
"Trump suggested to Trudeau that Canada become the 51st state, which caused the prime minister and others to laugh nervously, sources told Fox News. But he continued, telling Trudeau that prime minister is a better title, though he could still be governor” www.foxnews.com/politics/tru...
Reposted by Dr. Karen Stenner
My favorite follow on Twitter will again be my lodestone here.
I cannot recommend Teri's kindness & wisdom more highly!
You should definitely follow her here or on her website terikanefield.com: an absolute treasure trove of resources for how to live happily with democracy & your fellow human beings
I cannot recommend Teri's kindness & wisdom more highly!
You should definitely follow her here or on her website terikanefield.com: an absolute treasure trove of resources for how to live happily with democracy & your fellow human beings
December 3, 2024 at 4:41 AM
My favorite follow on Twitter will again be my lodestone here.
I cannot recommend Teri's kindness & wisdom more highly!
You should definitely follow her here or on her website terikanefield.com: an absolute treasure trove of resources for how to live happily with democracy & your fellow human beings
I cannot recommend Teri's kindness & wisdom more highly!
You should definitely follow her here or on her website terikanefield.com: an absolute treasure trove of resources for how to live happily with democracy & your fellow human beings
My favorite follow on Twitter will again be my lodestone here.
I cannot recommend Teri's kindness & wisdom more highly!
You should definitely follow her here or on her website terikanefield.com: an absolute treasure trove of resources for how to live happily with democracy & your fellow human beings
I cannot recommend Teri's kindness & wisdom more highly!
You should definitely follow her here or on her website terikanefield.com: an absolute treasure trove of resources for how to live happily with democracy & your fellow human beings
December 3, 2024 at 4:41 AM
My favorite follow on Twitter will again be my lodestone here.
I cannot recommend Teri's kindness & wisdom more highly!
You should definitely follow her here or on her website terikanefield.com: an absolute treasure trove of resources for how to live happily with democracy & your fellow human beings
I cannot recommend Teri's kindness & wisdom more highly!
You should definitely follow her here or on her website terikanefield.com: an absolute treasure trove of resources for how to live happily with democracy & your fellow human beings
Reposted by Dr. Karen Stenner
I highly recommend reading this article. I've read it dozens of times since I first read it in 2020. I've even written my own article like it in the hope of getting more people to read Stenner's book. She's an expert on authoritarianism and knows what's really going on and how to fix it. FOLLOW HER.
Here's what I'm mostly about.
Written a few months before the 2020 US election.
And I stand by every word today.
hopenothate.org.uk/2020/11/01/a...
Written a few months before the 2020 US election.
And I stand by every word today.
hopenothate.org.uk/2020/11/01/a...
Magazine: Essay – Authoritarianism – HOPE not hate
Liberal democracy has now exceeded many people’s capacity to tolerate it. A HOPE not hate special essay by Karen Stenner.
hopenothate.org.uk
November 30, 2024 at 1:59 PM
I highly recommend reading this article. I've read it dozens of times since I first read it in 2020. I've even written my own article like it in the hope of getting more people to read Stenner's book. She's an expert on authoritarianism and knows what's really going on and how to fix it. FOLLOW HER.
Reposted by Dr. Karen Stenner
Thanks for posting that podcast Stephan! Lots of people seem to have found that one helpful.
Here's a related interview on authoritarianism, racism and intolerance that I did with the wonderful @HelenLewis.bsky.social on BBC Radio 4:
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Here's a related interview on authoritarianism, racism and intolerance that I did with the wonderful @HelenLewis.bsky.social on BBC Radio 4:
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
The Spark - Karen Stenner and the authoritarian predisposition - BBC Sounds
Helen Lewis meets people offering radical solutions to the big problems of our times.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 3, 2024 at 4:05 AM
Thanks for posting that podcast Stephan! Lots of people seem to have found that one helpful.
Here's a related interview on authoritarianism, racism and intolerance that I did with the wonderful @HelenLewis.bsky.social on BBC Radio 4:
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Here's a related interview on authoritarianism, racism and intolerance that I did with the wonderful @HelenLewis.bsky.social on BBC Radio 4:
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Reposted by Dr. Karen Stenner
... 1) This @rafaelbehr.bsky.social interview with @karenstenner.bsky.social. An eye-opening insight into authoritarian voters and how to get them on board.
pca.st/episode/6d13...
pca.st/episode/6d13...
The authoritarian personality - why some voters feel drawn to populism and how to lure them away - Politics on the Couch
Dr Karen Stenner talks to Rafael Behr about the authoritarian personality and why it plays such an important part in political behaviour.
pca.st
December 1, 2024 at 10:04 AM
... 1) This @rafaelbehr.bsky.social interview with @karenstenner.bsky.social. An eye-opening insight into authoritarian voters and how to get them on board.
pca.st/episode/6d13...
pca.st/episode/6d13...
Reposted by Dr. Karen Stenner
Yes but you cant educate it away (1 of the West's enduring myths). So, that 1/3 of the popn incapable of living w. vast complexity must (in a democracy!) be supported & accommodated, in ways that *dont* infringe others' rights. It is a failure of both understanding & imagination that we dont do this
December 3, 2024 at 3:49 AM
Yes but you cant educate it away (1 of the West's enduring myths). So, that 1/3 of the popn incapable of living w. vast complexity must (in a democracy!) be supported & accommodated, in ways that *dont* infringe others' rights. It is a failure of both understanding & imagination that we dont do this
Russia's collapse would suddenly expose all the craven creatures and organizations (including media) across the liberal democratic West that depend upon dirty $$ from Transnational Organized Crime.
Very revealing indeed.
Cannot wait for this day.
Very revealing indeed.
Cannot wait for this day.
Assad's Syria exists, remember, thanks to Russia, Iran and Autocracy Inc.
November 30, 2024 at 6:28 AM
Russia's collapse would suddenly expose all the craven creatures and organizations (including media) across the liberal democratic West that depend upon dirty $$ from Transnational Organized Crime.
Very revealing indeed.
Cannot wait for this day.
Very revealing indeed.
Cannot wait for this day.
Reposted by Dr. Karen Stenner
It’s like “Carrie,” but for rich people who have no actual superpowers
Revenge of the Nerds (Gen X Version)
Many of those guys, smarter than almost all classmates, spent high school in trash cans, stuffed in lockers or hiding out. Now they have gazillions and the power that comes from that, and it’s the homecoming rally and bonfire.😎
Many of those guys, smarter than almost all classmates, spent high school in trash cans, stuffed in lockers or hiding out. Now they have gazillions and the power that comes from that, and it’s the homecoming rally and bonfire.😎
November 30, 2024 at 12:33 AM
It’s like “Carrie,” but for rich people who have no actual superpowers
🎯 Simplicity is EVERYTHING.
I've been saying for decades: "Liberal democracy has now exceeded many people's capacity to tolerate it".
The ppl youre trying to get on side are repelled by complexity.
Complexity in language. Ideas. Our politics. Our whole society.
& complexity is only accelerating!
I've been saying for decades: "Liberal democracy has now exceeded many people's capacity to tolerate it".
The ppl youre trying to get on side are repelled by complexity.
Complexity in language. Ideas. Our politics. Our whole society.
& complexity is only accelerating!
The issue for Dem pols isn’t “Latinx,” it’s phrases like “supported by empirical evidence.” That’s the education divide.
I’m reminded of a quote from the film Precious in which a working class black girl comments on her middle class black teachers, “They talk like TV channels I don't watch…”
I’m reminded of a quote from the film Precious in which a working class black girl comments on her middle class black teachers, “They talk like TV channels I don't watch…”
There’s a “Dems use alienating campus language” discourse going on; I think it’s basically right. College-educated America — media, boardroom, Dems — does adopt language that other people don’t use and sounds odd to them.
Years ago, the AP replaced “illegal” with “undocumented immigrants.” (1/2)
Years ago, the AP replaced “illegal” with “undocumented immigrants.” (1/2)
November 30, 2024 at 12:28 AM
🎯 Simplicity is EVERYTHING.
I've been saying for decades: "Liberal democracy has now exceeded many people's capacity to tolerate it".
The ppl youre trying to get on side are repelled by complexity.
Complexity in language. Ideas. Our politics. Our whole society.
& complexity is only accelerating!
I've been saying for decades: "Liberal democracy has now exceeded many people's capacity to tolerate it".
The ppl youre trying to get on side are repelled by complexity.
Complexity in language. Ideas. Our politics. Our whole society.
& complexity is only accelerating!
Reposted by Dr. Karen Stenner
Authoritarianism feeds off a crisis of purpose, and capitalism has left us feeling alone, powerless, and rudderless.
To defeat it, we’re going to have to make something that draws us together and finds meaning beyond consumption and greed. And we will.
jaredyatessexton.substack.com/p/authoritar...
To defeat it, we’re going to have to make something that draws us together and finds meaning beyond consumption and greed. And we will.
jaredyatessexton.substack.com/p/authoritar...
Authoritarianism and the Crisis of Meaning: Audio From A Collapsing State
Capitalism has left us feeling alone, powerless, and without purpose. Authoritarianism feeds off this.
jaredyatessexton.substack.com
November 29, 2024 at 5:50 PM
Authoritarianism feeds off a crisis of purpose, and capitalism has left us feeling alone, powerless, and rudderless.
To defeat it, we’re going to have to make something that draws us together and finds meaning beyond consumption and greed. And we will.
jaredyatessexton.substack.com/p/authoritar...
To defeat it, we’re going to have to make something that draws us together and finds meaning beyond consumption and greed. And we will.
jaredyatessexton.substack.com/p/authoritar...