In his 1964 essay, Richard Hofstadter explored the concept of status anxiety, which he argued arises when groups feel their social standing and identity are threatened. This state of anxiety can lead to heightened paranoia and a defensive posture from those groups, impacting their political behavior and engagement.

In "How Democracies Die," author Steven Levitsky builds upon Hofstadter's ideas, examining how such anxieties can destabilize democratic institutions. He suggests that when segments of society perceive their status as endangered, they may resort to extreme measures, undermining democratic norms and escalating conflicts within the political landscape.