The Pathology of Ideology: Authoritarian Leadership in Science Fiction Film

• In Event: Pandemic, Culture, and Crisis Leadership

Short Description

Using selected dystopian science fiction film narratives as a guide, this presentation explores authoritarian leadership as a behavior of a pathological ideology causing the increased politicization and practice of white male privilege in the aftermath of social crises. The presentation explores skewed beliefs of superiority within several visual narratives that manifest as fear-based leadership, oppressive closed social systems, pseudo-Christian doctrine, state sponsored violence, and demands for conformity. Terror management theory and group justification theories are closely connected to the ways leaders manipulate followers into desiring a romanticized past and maintaining their own power in a strict social order. The trauma experienced by the marginalized and oppressed people in these fictional societies leads to violent confrontation and provides a cautionary tale for those who would seek to replace liberal democracy with autocracy. As identified by previous scholars, science fiction narratives, while not a prognosticator, allow us to mediate the tensions of our contemporary society and devise possible solutions to real-world dilemmas through interaction with a fictional future. In effect, knowledge of the possibility of a dystopian future as exemplified by science fiction narratives allows leaders to imagine and act in ways to create a future where everyone can flourish.

Key Takeaway 1: we can find leadership solutions in works of fiction--including science fiction and fantasy

Key Takeaway 2: dystopian narratives, in particular, often address the specific leadership problems of fear-mongering, terror management, and authoritarianism

Key Takeaway 3: in our post-pandemic and populist world, we can find suggestions about ways to mitigate the dire threats of authoritarianism, populism, and pandemic denialism by examining fictional works that present similar thematic frames

Participant

• Kimberly S Yost, Pennsylvania Western University Department of Business, Economics, & Communication Assistant Professor
  Presenter