The Return of Big Daddy

The Psychology of Authority

It was not easy at all to let myself accept that most people are not capable of governing themselves, and that many of them consider liberty – especially the liberty to live their lives as they choose, an unbearable burden. They want someone to tell them what to live for, and how they should live. They will flock to the first authoritarian who promises to relieve them of the terrible burdens of responsibility and freedom, so long as he flatters their self-worth and tells them they are the special, destined ones.

There is a reason that fascists always point people backward toward an imagined golden age, and promise to make the future like the fantasized past. For most of us, we do remember a time when we didn't have to make any difficult choices, in which everything was provided for us. There is a reason that everything out of a fascist's mouth sounds like a fairy tale, full of monsters and heroes and miracles.

Fascism is a retreat to childhood. That is the “great again,” the “golden age.” It was great when big Daddy put you on his shoulders and carried you wherever he wanted to go. When you slept in the back seat while your parents drove through the night, when you never paid for anything, or worried about getting fired or divorced or where your next meal was coming from.

“Great Again,” indeed.

All's you had to do was to do as you were told. Immediately. Momma knows best. Because I said so. Seen and not heard. Don't talk back.

In every rant against the other – those who don't look or live or love or talk like “us,” the old “stranger danger!” warning rings out from our childhood. “Protect me, Daddy. Protect me from the scary monsters!”

The world of childhood is not rational. It is filled with monsters and heroes and impossible stories. Most children don't question how Santa gets to every house in one night, or how Jesus could walk on water, they just accept it. The world is full of magic, and dangers hiding in closets and under beds.

“Protect me, Daddy. I'll be good. I'll do as I'm told.”

It has been said that aging is mandatory, but that growing up is optional. Sadly, this appears to be true. An adult is someone who accepts responsibility for their own life and the contents of their mind, shoulders their duties to others and their membership in an interdependent society, and accepts their autonomy as a privilege and a burden to be borne.

There are, it seems, few adults around these days.

Power is the ability to force people to do what they'd rather not, as opposed to influence, which is the ability to affect the thinking and behavior of others without coercion. Parents have power, and we want them to have power over those who still think that playing in the street is a good idea. Remember, it's “Make America Great Again,” not “Convince Americans to be Be Great Again.” America will be made to be great again, whether we like it or not.

But, at least in theory, we want adults to be influenced, not coerced. But even being influenced requires thinking – weighing choices, making decisions that we might be held responsible for. “Don't make me think about it, just tell me what to do,” the people say, and eventually, the man comes along who is willing to tell them. And they will love big Daddy for it. Like they love Jesus. Forever and ever, Amen.