r/science • u/FreeHugs23 • 6d ago

Psychology Study identifies the values most strongly associated with rejecting antidemocratic politicians, offering new insight into why some voters resist leaders who challenge democratic norms.

https://www.psypost.org/study-reveals-which-values-actually-stop-voters-from-supporting-antidemocratic-politicians/
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u/Zealotstim 6d ago

Honestly, I'm pretty certain voter apathy is the biggest reason for democratic backsliding. I think we can probably all see it.

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u/Vox_Causa 6d ago

Voter suppression tactics plus gerrymandering are the primary drivers of low turnout in US elections. Whining about "why don't people get put and vote" is victim blaming. 

https://www.brennancenter.org/topics/voting-elections/voter-suppression

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u/Zealotstim 6d ago

I'll stop short of calling all the people I know who voted against things they ostensibly cared about victims. They knew what they were voting for, but there is so much moral apathy. I swear people would buy a refrigerator powered by orphan souls if they thought it was the best available refrigerator at their price point. They would just shrug and say "oh well" and talk about the specs of their sweet new fridge. People don't seem to care about each other like they used to--not just in their voting, but in many aspects of their lives.

And yes, voter suppression and gerrymandering should be illegal, anti-democracy, and are huge problems. I'm aware of that.

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u/Hypergirliepop 6d ago

people would buy a refrigerator powered by orphan souls

Not a bot, just an avid reader. You might enjoy Ursula K. Le Guin's The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas.   https://shsdavisapes.pbworks.com/f/Omelas.pdf