For the first half of my adult life I was in a benign Christian cult. A book that helped me to exit the cult was The True Believer: Thoughts on the Nature of Mass Movements, published in 1951, the year I was born. This book has relevance to the critical time we are in as we approach November 5, 2024.
This quote from Wikipedia confirms the significance of this book.
Hillary Clinton wrote in her 2017 book What Happened, a work discussing her loss to Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential race, cited The True Believer as a book that she recommended to her staff during the campaign.
I put a question to perplexity ai and the answer resonated with my lived experience.
What would MAGA look like if viewed through the eyes of Eric Hoffer who wrote The True Believer: Thoughts on the Nature of Mass Movements?
To explore what the MAGA (Make America Great Again) movement might look like through the lens of Eric Hoffer's The True Believer: Thoughts on the Nature of Mass Movements, we can draw parallels between Hoffer's insights on mass movements and the characteristics of MAGA supporters. Hoffer's analysis provides a framework for understanding the psychological and social dynamics that drive individuals to join and fervently support such movements.
Characteristics of the True Believer
Frustration and Discontent
Hoffer posits that true believers are often individuals who feel discontented with their lives and seek meaning through collective identity. They tend to blame external forces for their frustrations, which can lead them to embrace radical ideologies. In the context of MAGA, many supporters express feelings of disenfranchisement, believing that their values and way of life are under threat from globalization, immigration, and changing social norms. This sense of loss can create a fertile ground for mass mobilization around a charismatic leader who promises to restore their perceived lost greatness.
Dualistic Thinking
Hoffer describes true believers as seeing the world in stark terms—good versus evil, us versus them. This binary perspective is evident in MAGA rhetoric, which often frames political opponents as enemies of American values. Such dualistic thinking simplifies complex issues, allowing supporters to rally around a clear enemy and fostering an "in-group" mentality that vilifies outsiders.
Desire for Certainty
The true believer craves certainty in an ambiguous world. Hoffer argues that this desire leads individuals to adopt ideologies that provide clear answers and a sense of purpose. MAGA encapsulates this need by promoting a nostalgic vision of America that promises clarity and direction amidst perceived chaos. The movement's slogans and imagery evoke a simpler past, appealing to those who find contemporary society overwhelming.
The Role of Leadership
Charismatic Authority
Hoffer emphasizes the role of charismatic leaders in mass movements, who can manipulate the frustrations of followers to galvanize support. Donald Trump’s leadership style exemplifies this dynamic; he uses provocative language and promises radical change, which resonates with those seeking a figure who embodies their grievances and aspirations. His ability to connect with supporters on an emotional level is a hallmark of Hoffer's "true believer" concept.
Unquestioning Loyalty
True believers exhibit unwavering loyalty to their cause, often disregarding contradictory evidence or dissenting opinions. This is evident in the MAGA movement, where many supporters display a strong allegiance to Trump, viewing him as a savior figure despite controversies or policy failures. Hoffer notes that such loyalty often stems from a deep-seated need for belonging within a community that shares similar beliefs.
Consequences of Mass Movements
Potential for Violence
Hoffer warns that mass movements can lead to destructive outcomes when true believers are mobilized against perceived threats. The MAGA movement has witnessed instances where rhetoric escalates into violence or aggression against opponents, reflecting Hoffer's concerns about the dangers posed by fanaticism. The January 6 Capitol riots serve as a stark example of how fervent beliefs can manifest in real-world violence when followers feel their identity or values are under siege.
Loss of Individualism
Finally, Hoffer argues that mass movements often require individuals to suppress their personal identities in favor of collective goals. In the MAGA context, this can be seen in how personal beliefs are often subordinated to the movement's agenda, leading individuals to prioritize loyalty over critical thinking or independent judgment.
In summary, viewing the MAGA movement through Eric Hoffer’s lens reveals significant insights into its psychological underpinnings and social dynamics. The characteristics of true believers—frustration, dualistic thinking, desire for certainty, charismatic leadership, unquestioning loyalty—are all present within this movement, highlighting both its appeal and potential dangers..
The popularity of Trump cannot be reduced to a single factor. The matter is, of course, extremely complex. But understanding MAGA through the lens of cult dynamics is a useful approach.
There was another book that helped me understand my cult experience and I again put the question to perplexity ai.
What would MAGA look like if viewed through the eyes of M. Scott Peck who wrote People of the Lie: The Hope For Healing Human Evil?
To envision MAGA (Make America Great Again) through the lens of M. Scott Peck's insights from People of the Lie: The Hope for Healing Human Evil, one must consider his profound understanding of human behavior, community dynamics, and the nature of evil.
Understanding Evil
Peck defines evil as the exercise of political power to impose one's will on others, often avoiding the responsibility to nurture spiritual growth. He argues that evil manifests not just in overt actions but also in passive resistance to love and truth. In this context, MAGA could be interpreted as a movement that, while professing to restore American greatness, may inadvertently perpetuate divisive ideologies and behaviors that Peck would categorize as evil—specifically, antilove characterized by coercion and a refusal to engage in genuine community building.
Stages of Spiritual Development
Peck outlines four stages of spiritual development:
- Chaotic/Antisocial: Characterized by a lack of empathy and an inability to love.
- Formal/Institutional: Represents blind adherence to authority and dogma.
- Skeptic/Individual: Involves questioning established norms and seeking personal truth.
- Mystic/Communal: Emphasizes interconnectedness and communal love.
From this perspective, MAGA might resonate primarily with individuals in the first two stages, who may exhibit antisocial behaviors or a rigid adherence to a specific ideology without critical engagement. This could foster an environment where genuine community and spiritual growth are stifled.
Community vs. Social Interaction
Peck emphasizes the importance of transforming from mere social creatures into true community members, advocating for openness, vulnerability, and commitment to one another. He critiques superficial social interactions that lack depth and meaning. MAGA’s rhetoric often emphasizes division rather than unity, potentially undermining Peck's vision of a healing community where individuals support each other's spiritual growth.
Conclusion
Viewing MAGA through M. Scott Peck's framework reveals a complex interplay between the movement's goals and the psychological implications of its practices. While it aims for national rejuvenation, it may simultaneously embody characteristics of spiritual stagnation or regression, particularly if it fosters division rather than genuine community engagement. Peck's insights challenge proponents of MAGA to reflect on their motivations and the broader implications of their actions in fostering either love or evil within society.