Authoritarianism and Symbols: Military Presence and Mexican Politics

• In Event: Poster Session: Comparative Politics in Developing Countries I

Abstract

Authoritarianism and right-wing ideology play an important role in citizen views on the rule of law and protection for civil rights and liberties (Cohrs et al. 2005; Feldman 2003). In conflict situations, authoritarian individuals are more likely to support using military means that disregard civil rights and liberties in an effort to restore the perceived order (Huddy et al. 2005; Lavine et al. 2005). Threat can lead to polarization of views between those high and low in authoritarianism (Feldman and Stenner 1997). Threat might have polarize society on matters such as criminal justice and immigration, as was the case during the migrant caravan episode of politics in the United States and México.

Authoritarianism as a political personality predisposition has been less studied in the Latin American context. It is likely that existing measures used in American politics might have cross-cultural validity and help explain ideological cleavages and polarization in México and other countries.

To test the impact of authoritarianism and threat in México an experiment was embedded in Omnibus Study conducted by the CIDE in México (N=666). The design involves the measurement of authoritarianism along with a 1x3 experiment that manipulates images presented between groups. One group had military police images, the other civilian police, the last had random images of men and pickup trucks. Representations of strong authority (military power) exacerbate the reliance of such individuals on their authoritarian predispositions in deciding the extent to which due process should be follow in combating crime.

We evaluate whether the goal motivations of non/authoritarian, liberal/conservative persons will lead them to be as reactive to images of military power and might. The mere presence, whether real or mediated, is expected to increase support for military presence, action, and disregard for civil rights. In addition, we test the measurement properties of a 10-item RWA scale (see Cohrs et al. 2005; Lavine et al. 2005) as well as the ANES 4-item child rearing scale.

Author

• Angel Saavedra Cisneros, St. Norbert College