Gaslighting --convincing followers to doubt their own eyes, ears, and critical faculties, and accept an alternate reality-- is essential to the cultivation process. Gaslighting is key to achieving the most devastating part of authoritarianism: the suppression of the autonomous self and any sense of self-regard and self-love. When this is accomplished, it is not hard to get people to act against their own self-interest, engaging in behaviors that harm themselves, their loved ones, and their country. Hearing crowds cheering America's low vaccination rates at the recent Conservative Political Action Conference is a good example.
Authoritarian cults find favor at moments of transition, when existing political parties and politicians seem unresponsive to the needs of the moment and there is mass anxiety and anger about progress in racial, gender, and labor emancipation. This disaffection stimulates yearnings for a different kind of leader, creating a space in the political marketplace that ambitious and ruthless individuals exploit.
https://lucid.substack.com/p/love-bombs-and-buzzwords-how-authoritarian?s=r
Thank you to my inspirations!
Steven Hassan
Podcast: The Influence Continuum
Sarah Edmunson and Nippy Ames
Podcast: A Little Bit Culty
Leah Remini and Mike Rinder
Podcast: Fair Game
Roberta Blevins
Podcast: Life after MLM
Ben, Brett and Jordy Meiselas
Podcast: Meidas Touch
Michael Cohen
Podcast: Mea Culpa
Scott Koon
Podcast: Capitol Insurrection Report
Steven Hassan Links:
Book: The Cult of Trump
https://freedomofmind.com/cult-mind-control/bite-model/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbUzh7ILotI
Jamie Raskin links:
Unthinkable by Jamie Raskin
https://www.amazon.com/Unthinkable-Trauma-Trials-American-Democracy/dp/0063209780/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3M3XYUPXF221N&keywords=jamie+raskin&qid=1648275722&sprefix=jamie+raskin%2Caps%2C130&sr=8-1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFoMeZ2GJwI
Please write me if you have any questions you want me to answer @thekellycross on Twitter and email kellyrebeccacross@gmail.com