Understanding the Authoritarian mindset.... Marxism and postmodernism... Part 1

Marxism (and it's postmodernist offspring) easily ally with the the authoritarian mindset.
It's pretty impossible to not marry the two together.

Can you even imagine anyone other than an authoritarian - even coming up with the concept of Marxism, and socialism?

Power over others.....
This is the crux of the matter.
Everything is seen from this perspective in the mind of the postmodernist/authoritarian. Everything. Power is all.
(Insecurity, strict parental control, and low self esteem are common)

And it's no different in the steem(it) ecosystem....Which is the point of the post.

Authoritarian mindsets are counterproductive to steemit and the steem ecosystem,if we are looking to decentralize.
That's is not the same as the same individuals bringing enormous value to the ecosystem the same time.

They are not mutually exclusive - quite the opposite in fact. The authoritarian mindset is not the same as that same persons knowledge - but how that knowledge is utilized.

Seeing the authoritarian in your midst, means taking the useful parts that come as part of the whole package, and at the same time, being aware of the destructive parts. I.e . their personal agendas.

In doing do, the ecosystem gains maximum rewards for knowledge imparted, but at the same time, by recognition - insulates them from the ambitions of the manipulator.

I have seen many people on here, expressing many traits of this personality type and showing classic authoritarian patterns..
(I wont mention any names for now - but there are more than you think, I would imagine..)

It's time for you to recognize them to - if you haven't already.

What are we talking about here?...

Power, essentially - in all its various incarnations, but particularly power over others. Power over things starts with power over people. Influence.

The clever authoritarian will hide their true motives of course - or do their very best to.

'Benevolent wisdom' may be the route to adoration...Adoration is influence and control.
Control is power over others.
Power over others gives them authority.

And anyone exposing this hidden agenda, will be seen as a threat to achieving their goals.

Feeling centered and in control , the authoritarian may well might seem to be rational, but once under pressure - through scrutiny - they will become more irrational, and way more emotionally expressive to the antagonist.
The loss of perceived control, enrages the authoritarian.

This change can be seen quite clearly.
What was once detachment, now becomes judgmental, what was once engagement, now becomes dismissive, what was once patience, now becomes impatient.
It is not difficult to see this progression , if you are looking for the signs.

If you know that it's always about this attainment of power for the authoritarian postmodernist - then you also know that the engine for these behaviors. This makes them predictable.
(they try to express the opposite of this 'predictability' as much as possible - which is also predictable).

While the authoritarian is capable of wearing many different faces the masks will always slip away, under scrutiny and pressure. Always.
Always.... when the correct pressure is applied
I'm somewhat of an expert in this field , even if I do say so myself...(quite unintentionally, but hey..)

Things to know...

Authoritarians have flexible morals. Authoritarians do not live by principle.
The only moral that means anything is the attainment of power.
Whatever it takes to achieve that objective seems morally acceptable and is morally justifiable in their perspective of life.
Vices are elevated to virtues in the mind of the authoritarian. Lies and manipulation are seen as talents, not weaknesses.

These behaviors are actually a source of pride, and elevated to 'virtue' in the mind of the authoritarian.
Just so as long as they’re used in the service of the underlying goal. Power.
The same strategies used against them will quickly and enthusiastically, be brought to light in a tirade of moral indignation.

It's quite apparent to see the similarities expressed in postmodernism, and also difficult to see how the postmodernist mindset fits in anywhere else, but with the authoritarian.

I was reading psychologytoday.com, ( recommended reading) and in one article there was a list of '30 things to identify the authoritarian mindset'.
It was interesting to see just how these same traits fit with the postmodernist philosophy.

I will cover a few at a time .....
What is important here, it to understand just some traits, to begin with.
Once you're consciously looking out for just some these traits you will surprised how the rest unfold before you're very eyes.
It is better to understand two or three traits properly, than just browsing 30 and not fully grasping them.

The point of this post is to be able to recognize these traits in others.

Knowledge is your power, and at the same time , it takes away power from the manipulators. To be of authoritarian mindset, is to be a manipulator.

Authoritarians are both leaders and followers and the have an complex internal battle perpetually raging...And one which help you identify this kind of personality.

Many people ( me included) exhibit some authoritarian traits - but in isolation.
(I'll use myself as an example throughout these posts - to highlight the difference between the authoritarian, and the expression of some authoritarian traits).

To identify the the 'true' authoritarian, is bringing together the 'isolated' traits, to build a bigger picture.
Understanding the difference is important.

I will use steemit as the canvas on which to illustrate the points.... it's the one thing we all have a reference to, after all...

Unclear Rules.

Authoritarians love 'rules' - for other people. The more vague and undefined they are, the better. (postmodernism, anyone?)
....unclear rules are the least possible to follow, and as such easily broken.
This opens the door to punishment for the rule-breaker, by the authoritarian.

Following the authoritarian (and their arbitrary rules) them doesn’t please them, it breeds contempt...It confirms their own sense of authority. (often expressed as a 'humble thankfulness' for the said following...)

I think most people on steemit can see this pattern of behavior, and is self explanatory.

Hidden Judgementalism.

An authoritarian will lack much empathy, camaraderie , (or loyalty).
Look at 'the caring left' for example - who want to kill all white males, but are inclusive to everyone at the same time.

What to look out for..

Subtle but derogatory swipes at people. The more oblique the better in the the authoritarian mindset, but getting more obvious as the exposure builds and self control subsides.
Anyone is a target outside the 'approved group'.

In steemit for example - who do you know, who subtly criticizes those who don't behave the same as them?

_Is HODLing part of the 'approved group'? _ (it is with some)

Watch for subtle criticism and derision of people selling steem.
(Paradoxically -NOT openly critical of individuals bigger than themselves, acting in the manner of which 'the approved group' disapprove of...Another authoritarian weakness)
Authoritarians are very submissive to those they perceive 'above them', but harsh critics to those that they perceive 'lower' than them.
They love hierarchies of dominance.
Within the steem ecosystem, the criticisms for selling steem will be subtlety pushed - while at the same time trading steem (buying and selling).
The hypocrisy of this position is not apparent to the authoritarian. Principles are not relevant.
(for those not seeing the intellectual hypocrisy...to criticize the selling of steem, while openly using the market caused by the selling of steem, to profit.
You can't, logically, have it both ways.

Being judgmental from the being 'the authority' is one of many ways they project (they're experts).
Criticism of others is only an expression of their own inner landscape - one most probably one that scares them...

Patriot in the mirror...
Like I said, many people show some traits of being an authoritarian, - but that doesn't mean you're of an authoritarian mindset.

I am judgmental on bad ideas, indistinct logic, and weak argument. I am not judgmental of the persons lifestyles, or decisions in life.
Moralizing on people's different ways of life, of life choices , is being judgmental on that person.
Criticizing bad ideas and weak argument is judging that persons ideas. Not the person.
Recognize the difference..

Think 'trojan horse mentality' as a tried and tested strategy in all aspects of life for the authoritarian mindset.
It will stand you in good stead.

Part 2, tomorrow...