University of Kwazulu-Natal

Thethe Maga Mindset How An Old Conservative Generation Scribd

Bonisiwe Shabane
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thethe maga mindset how an old conservative generation scribd

Academia.edu no longer supports Internet Explorer. To browse Academia.edu and the wider internet faster and more securely, please take a few seconds to upgrade your browser. 2025, Third Generation IR Working Papers Series (IR3-WPS) This paper examines the cognitive–ideological framework underlying the worldview of the first-generation post–Cold War conservative consciousness in the United States. Instead of analysing any single individual, the study uses a representative model-case drawn from a cohort shaped by pre-digital conservative media, Cold War binaries, Judeo-Christian broadcasting, and post-9/11 security narratives. By situating this generational interpretive lens within the historical evolution of America First nationalism, the rise of MAGA populism, Christian Zionism, and the emergence of the digital right-wing youth, the study highlights a distinctive...

This structure functions less as political theory and more as a psycho-political apparatus built on identity maintenance, nostalgia, and moral absolutism. The analysis explores how this generational lens interprets global issues—including Russia, Islam, Israel, immigration, and Europe—while revealing the internal fracture between the “single-voice media era” and today’s technologically pluralistic information ecosystem. Through this model, the research exposes a broader epistemic crisis within American conservatism: outdated cognitive structures colliding with a rapidly transforming international system. Finally, the paper situates this phenomenon within the IR3 framework, arguing that understanding such structural-cognitive breakdowns is essential for diagnosing failures in modern diplomacy, political communication, and global strategic analysis. We advocate a relational approach to understanding contemporary conservatism in the United States. Our approach suggests that conservatism provides a cultural repertoire for adherents to use in adapting to new or changed political situations.

We provide evidence based on public opinion data that conservatism is neither a single, monolithic ideology nor a mere coalition of convenience among disparate interest groups. Instead, conservatism should be understood as an amalgam of overlapping but distinct styles of thought, held together through a cultural identification with conservative identity. The MAGA movement is not just a political phenomenon. It is a psychological ecosystem—a self-reinforcing worldview that draws strength from fear, identity, and grievance. As we have explored across this series, its adherents often operate from psychological frameworks rooted in Right-Wing Authoritarianism (RWA), Social Dominance Orientation (SDO), and Collective Narcissism. These are not fringe attributes.

They are deeply human tendencies, exacerbated by economic instability, cultural anxiety, and the rise of digital echo chambers. But if this movement was shaped by manipulable forces, then it stands to reason that it can be reshaped. Condescension fuels grievance. It validates the narrative that liberals and progressives look down on "real Americans." MAGA supporters are often primed to view disagreement as attack. That doesn’t mean we should coddle extremism, but understanding their emotional needs is not the same as accepting their conclusions. Empathy is a strategic tool.

Research into depolarization shows that people are more receptive to new ideas when they feel heard and respected (Kteily et al., 2015). Example: A former MAGA supporter recalled in a New York Times op-ed that what changed his mind was not being yelled at in debates, but a quiet conversation with a progressive coworker who simply... Ask questions that invite introspection: "What made you start supporting Trump? What did you hope would change?" These are not traps. They are doors. The moment someone articulates their story in their own words, it becomes possible to challenge the narrative they have internalized—not with a hammer, but with a mirror.

It’s easy to give up on authoritarian voters. They reject facts, embrace conspiracy, and double down when confronted with evidence. But what if they’re not unreachable? What if the very things that led them down the authoritarian path, fear, identity confusion, cognitive rigidity, could also light the way back? This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This article begins with a bold premise: authoritarian minds are made, not born, and if they can be shaped by fear, they can also be reshaped by knowledge, trust, and psychological intervention. The science is clear: education, targeted information framing, and moral reframing can reduce authoritarian attitudes, not by force, but by loosening the mental and emotional scaffolding that holds those attitudes in place. This isn’t about arguing harder. It’s about understanding what authoritarian psychology feeds on, and what can starve it. We now know that these voters are often driven by perceived threats to order, status, or group identity. As Karen Stenner famously put it, the authoritarian dynamic is “activated not by ideology, but by normative threat.” This explains why traditional political messaging fails, because it doesn’t treat the cause, only the symptom.

In fact, authoritarian-aligned individuals are not always rigid or dogmatic. Under the right circumstances, such as exposure to democratic norms in a context of safety or the moral reframing of political issues, they do shift their views. For instance, misperceptions about democracy and inequality have been shown to be powerful levers. A 2024 study published in Science found that correcting misperceptions about democratic norms and public support for authoritarianism can significantly increase support for pluralism and democracy, even among those living under or sympathetic to... Unpacking the MAGA Mindset: Values and Impact The MAGA movement, short for "Make America Great Again," has been a pivotal force in American politics since its inception during Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign.

This movement is characterized by its strong nationalist and conservative ideologies, emphasizing the need to restore America's perceived former greatness through policies like economic protectionism and reduced immigration[1][3]. In this article, we will delve into the core values and data points that define the MAGA mindset and its influence on contemporary American society. The MAGA movement has contributed significantly to the polarization of American politics. Its combative rhetoric and divisive policies have created deep fissures between supporters and opponents, exacerbating existing political tensions[1]. The MAGA movement represents a complex blend of nationalist, conservative, and populist ideologies that have reshaped the American political landscape. Understanding its core values and impact is crucial for grasping the dynamics of contemporary American society and politics.

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Academia.edu No Longer Supports Internet Explorer. To Browse Academia.edu And

Academia.edu no longer supports Internet Explorer. To browse Academia.edu and the wider internet faster and more securely, please take a few seconds to upgrade your browser. 2025, Third Generation IR Working Papers Series (IR3-WPS) This paper examines the cognitive–ideological framework underlying the worldview of the first-generation post–Cold War conservative consciousness in the United States. ...

This Structure Functions Less As Political Theory And More As

This structure functions less as political theory and more as a psycho-political apparatus built on identity maintenance, nostalgia, and moral absolutism. The analysis explores how this generational lens interprets global issues—including Russia, Islam, Israel, immigration, and Europe—while revealing the internal fracture between the “single-voice media era” and today’s technologically pluralistic...

We Provide Evidence Based On Public Opinion Data That Conservatism

We provide evidence based on public opinion data that conservatism is neither a single, monolithic ideology nor a mere coalition of convenience among disparate interest groups. Instead, conservatism should be understood as an amalgam of overlapping but distinct styles of thought, held together through a cultural identification with conservative identity. The MAGA movement is not just a political p...

They Are Deeply Human Tendencies, Exacerbated By Economic Instability, Cultural

They are deeply human tendencies, exacerbated by economic instability, cultural anxiety, and the rise of digital echo chambers. But if this movement was shaped by manipulable forces, then it stands to reason that it can be reshaped. Condescension fuels grievance. It validates the narrative that liberals and progressives look down on "real Americans." MAGA supporters are often primed to view disagr...

Research Into Depolarization Shows That People Are More Receptive To

Research into depolarization shows that people are more receptive to new ideas when they feel heard and respected (Kteily et al., 2015). Example: A former MAGA supporter recalled in a New York Times op-ed that what changed his mind was not being yelled at in debates, but a quiet conversation with a progressive coworker who simply... Ask questions that invite introspection: "What made you start sup...