I saw an article in The Independent discussing reasons why GenZ are understandably ignorant to the perils of authoritarianism, and many actually express that they would prefer an autocratic government that could respond more quickly to situations. Many GenZ also express how they fail to see the merits of democracy — at least partly because democracy is slow and considered and they grew up with instant gratification for the most part.
You can read that here:
https://www.the-independent.com/voices/gen-z-democracy-dictator-leader-politics-britain-b2686960.html
My generation is post WW2, post-Vietnam, and up to now have enjoyed a long life mostly peace. Violent conflicts mostly happened in other places, until 911, and even then, it was nothing like a true war. Outside of military service, Americans who understand the horror of war in their bones are mostly passed away.
To offset that lack of life experience, I listened to my grandparents, and also grew up reading and learning about the lessons of history, with frequently quoted variations of a saying by philosopher George Santayana rolling through my mind. Santayana originally wrote, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it“. The phrase originates in his 1905 book, The Life of Reason.
Winston Churchill also famously said, “Those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it,” which may have been a reference to Santayana’s original words. The saying means that if people do not learn from past mistakes, they are likely to make the same errors in the future.
Well, those GenZ kids have not lived much yet, and while it has been said they do not read, that is not precisely true. Based on communication trends, the statement “Gen Z prefers short-form text and soundbites” is largely true, though a more nuanced explanation is necessary. This preference is driven by a desire for speed, efficiency, and authentic, visually-rich communication. So, while someone from an older generation might say, “Smart people read, so go read a book.” Then the younger person might reply, “Is there a 2x speed summary or a video on that topic?“
So the younger generation is getting what they are getting and we can hope they catch up in time so that we do not all have to relearn things the hard way. If we want people to understand those older lessons, it is incumbent on us to stop yelling at clouds and come up with new ways to present that information in a format they can understand.
I have faith that the younger folks will probably figure that messaging out before we do. Some have already, and when the rest wake up, they are a force to be reckoned with. They have zero patience for bullshit, and once moved to action, I believe they will act.
Another way to understand this change is to consider how America changes and adapts. I read an article describing one authors observation how America reinvents itself about every 80 years. You can read that here:
America is going through its every-80-year reinvention
https://bigthink.com/the-past/america-is-going-through-its-every-80-year-reinvention/
As per usual, I wanted to understand, not criticize. I also wanted some additional articles to round this out, so I asked an AI search tool this question:
“How can people be so naive as to want a dictator?“
I got this answer:
Political scientists, psychologists, and sociologists have identified several reasons why some people support or accept authoritarian leaders, despite the risks associated with dictatorial rule. These reasons are complex and often linked to specific social, economic, and psychological conditions.
Fear, instability, and the appeal of a “strong leader”
- A desire for order. When people perceive widespread chaos, corruption, or social decay, they may become frustrated with the perceived ineffectiveness of democracy. In these situations, an authoritarian leader who promises stability and “law and order” can seem like a viable solution.
- Protection from threats. Authoritarian leaders often exaggerate or create external threats and internal divisions, framing themselves as the only ones capable of protecting the population. This tactic preys on people’s fears and drives them to seek out a strong leader for security, even at the cost of personal liberties.
- Crisis and hardship. Economic downturns, high inflation, or social crises can leave people feeling insecure and pessimistic about the future. In hard times, some people may support a strongman leader who promises quick and decisive fixes, even if those fixes undermine democratic institutions.
Psychological and social factors
- The authoritarian personality. Research suggests that some people are predisposed to authoritarianism, characterized by traits like a preference for order, a tendency to follow norms, and a greater sense of anxiety and insecurity. Authoritarian followers often gravitate toward leaders who enforce strict rules and punish those who challenge group norms.
- Blind obedience to authority. Landmark psychology studies, like the Milgram experiment, demonstrated that many people will obey an authority figure’s commands even if it causes harm to others. This behavior stems from a cultural inclination to follow orders and avoid personal responsibility. Authoritarian leaders exploit this by positioning themselves as the ultimate authority, telling followers they are just “following orders”.
- Limited and manipulated information. Dictators often consolidate power by censoring the media, spreading propaganda, and discrediting experts. This leaves the public with limited, biased information and makes them more reliant on the leader’s narrative.
- Conformity and in-group bias. Humans have a natural tendency to conform to their social groups and seek confirmation of their existing beliefs. Authoritarian leaders exploit this confirmation bias by framing complex issues in simple, black-and-white terms and creating a clear “us vs. them” narrative.
Strategic manipulation by the elite
- Rewarding loyalists. Dictators can use strategic incentives to maintain power. They may reward a powerful inner circle of military officers, party members, or family with wealth and influence in exchange for their loyalty. This creates a class of elites who benefit from the dictatorship and have a vested interest in its survival.
- Foreign and elite support. Historically, great powers have supported dictatorships to secure strategic interests, such as resources or military access. These foreign incentives, along with financial and political support from domestic elites, can prolong a dictator’s rule.
- The illusion of success. Some authoritarian leaders gain popular support by staging high-profile campaigns against corruption or delivering tangible economic performance, at least initially. For populations with no access to reliable data, these symbolic gestures can convince them that the regime is effective and well-intentioned.
The following bibliography includes recommended reading that influenced the previous answer. And even some video.
Blair, Dennis. 2013. Military Engagement: Influencing Armed Forces Worldwide to Support Democratic Transitions. Brookings Institution Press.
https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.7864/j.ctt2tt22h.
Cato Institute. 2013. “How Dictators Come to Power in a Democracy.” February 5.
https://www.cato.org/commentary/how-dictators-come-power-democracy.
Fetterolf, Laura Silver and Janell. 2024. “Who Likes Authoritarianism, and How Do They Want to Change Their Government?” Pew Research Center, February 28.
https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2024/02/28/who-likes-authoritarianism-and-how-do-they-want-to-change-their-government/.
Guriev, Sergei, and Daniel Treisman. 2015. How Modern Dictators Survive: An Informational Theory of the New Authoritarianism. No. W21136. National Bureau of Economic Research.
https://doi.org/10.3386/w21136.
(This one downloads a PDF, but it is a good read.)
Mirowska, Agata, Raymond B. Chiu, and Rick Hackett. 2022. “From Trump to Putin: Why Are People Attracted to Tyrants?” The Conversation, July 26.
https://doi.org/10.64628/AAM.jfkuxwwpr.
MIT News | Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 2021. “How Authoritarian Leaders Maintain Support.” August 5.
https://news.mit.edu/2021/authoritarians-anticorruption-support-0805.
Osborne, Danny. n.d.-a. “Why Some People Follow Authoritarian Leaders—And The Key to Stopping It.” Scientific American. Accessed October 23, 2025.
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-some-people-follow-authoritarian-leaders-and-the-key-to-stopping-it/.
Osborne, Danny. n.d.-b. “Why Some People Follow Authoritarian Leaders—And The Key to Stopping It.” Scientific American. Accessed October 23, 2025.
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-some-people-follow-authoritarian-leaders-and-the-key-to-stopping-it/.
Osborne, Danny, Thomas H. Costello, John Duckitt, and Chris G. Sibley. 2023. “The Psychological Causes and Societal Consequences of Authoritarianism.” Nature Reviews Psychology 2 (4): 220–32.
https://doi.org/10.1038/s44159-023-00161-4.
TEDx Talks, dir. 2023. The Psychology of Authoritarianism | London Burnham | TEDxDurhamAcademy. 14:23.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sM33Sw3NQw.
Vries, Manfred F. R. Kets de. 2018. “Fighting Against Dictatorship.” INSEAD Knowledge, January 18.
https://knowledge.insead.edu/leadership-organisations/fighting-against-dictatorship.
Vries, Manfred F. R. Kets de. 2022. “Why the World Is Attracted to Neo-Authoritarian Leaders.” INSEAD Knowledge, September 26.
https://knowledge.insead.edu/leadership-organisations/why-world-attracted-neo-authoritarian-leaders.
“Why Do People Follow Authoritarian Leaders? | Psychology Today.” n.d. Accessed October 23, 2025.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/your-personal-renaissance/202009/why-do-people-follow-authoritarian-leaders.
Wikipedia. 2025. “Dictatorship.” October 19.
https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dictatorship&oldid=1317730529.
Wikipedia. 2025. “U.S. policy towards authoritarianism.” October 21.
https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=U.S._policy_towards_authoritarianism&oldid=1318013266.
Yom, Sean. 2016. “Helping Hurts.” Foreign Affairs, March 7.
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/helping-hurts.
Not Too Long Didn't Read 
What do you think?