What makes an authoritarian polity is the leader’s dislike for contest. Authoritarian leaders, therefore, possess a strong desire to cut down those with high levels of achievement. This article by Eric W. Dolan is published by PsyPost. Here is an excerpt:

Two aspects of right-wing authoritarianism are associated with a heightened desire to cut down those with a high level of achievement and/or success, according to new research published in The Journal of Social Psychology.

Right-wing authoritarianism is a well-studied psychological construct developed in the aftermath of World War II that is characterized by three tendencies: submission to authority, strong adherence to conventions, and aggression directed at those seen as violating social norms.

The new study examined how right-wing authoritarianism and other sociopolitical variables were related to attitudes towards so-called “tall poppies,” a term commonly used in Australia and New Zealand to describe a person of high status.

Read the full article here.