The Securitarian Personality

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This book explores the core motivations of Donald Trump's strongest supporters, challenging the notion that they are primarily authoritarians or fascists. Instead, it posits that their main desire is a specific form of security rather than mere authority. Trump's base seeks protection against perceived threats from a wide range of out-groups, which they define broadly to include welfare cheats, unpatriotic athletes, norm violators, non-English speakers, adherents of non-majority religions, racial minorities, and those who do not conform to national customs or come from other countries. The primary goal for these fervent supporters is to safeguard themselves, their families, and their cultural group from these outsider threats. This motivation is not unique to the U.S.; similar sentiments can be observed globally, as evidenced by the Brexit vote in the U.K. and the rise of nativist candidates worldwide. By elucidating these desires, the book aims to clarify a political movement that many find perplexing, potentially facilitating better communication between Trump's supporters and their opponents.