Left-wing extremism is linked to toxic, psychopathic tendencies and narcissism, according to a new study published to the peer-reviewed journal Current Psychology.
Alex Mitchell
New York Post
Thu, 25 May 2023
© AP
Left-wing extremism can be rooted in very unhealthy and selfish mental behavior, a new study suggests.
“Based on existing research, we expected individuals with higher levels of left-wing authoritarianism to also report higher levels of narcissism,” the authors wrote.
As result of the new data, study authors Ann Krispenz and Alex Bertrams have coined a new term for such psychological behavior: the “dark-ego-vehicle principle.”
“According to this principle, individuals with dark personalities — such as high narcissistic and psychopathic traits — are attracted to certain forms of political and social activism which they can use as a vehicle to satisfy their own ego-focused needs instead of actually aiming at social justice and equality,”they told PsyPost.
© AP
Left-wing extremism is tied to narcissism more than it is to supporting social causes, according to new research.
“In particular, certain forms of activism might provide them with opportunities for positive self-presentation and displays of moral superiority, to gain social status, to dominate others, and to engage in social conflicts and aggression to satisfy their need for thrill seeking.”
The study on left-wing authoritarianism also showed that
many times, they do not practice what they so loudly preach.
Social justice is often used as a guise for these activists to behave unhinged, the research noted.
Image copyright Cheney Orr
“An individual high in LWA might declare anyone to be ‘old fashioned’ who is opposing their own ‘progressive values,’ strive to suppress free speech to regulate the expression of right-wing beliefs in educational institutions, and even endorse the use of violence to reach their own political goals,” the authors said.
Beyond using any means necessary, people of privileged backgrounds who are aligned with LWA often use their narcissism to make activism solely about themselves instead of achieving social equality for struggling groups.
“Minority groups should be made aware of the narcissistic ‘enemies’ from within their activist movement, as these individuals could hijack the cause thereby reducing the success of the activism in many ways,” the authors added.
“As grandiose narcissists typically desire fame, distinction, elevated social status and high social importance, they can be assumed to strive for influential positions that involve social visibility and outreach as well as access to financial and other resources.”
Martin comments: Well, who didn’t see this coming? We’ve been predicting a step to the Right for a while now. After several years of Left-Wing biased media screeching about anyone further to the Right than Karl Marx being a “Far Right Nazi” and the “White Supremacist” label being hurled at anyone who dares express an opinion that doesn’t fit the Socialist narrative, it’s coming around to bite them in the backside.
Personally, I think we are in danger of swinging from one extreme to the other. I would LOVE to see some genuine Centrism and political moderation. Call me a utopian dreamer, but one can only do one’s best.
