In his 1964 essay The Paranoid Style in American Politics, historian Richard Hofstadter described the phenomenon of status anxiety, which, he believed, is most likely to emerge when groups' social status, identity, and sense of belonging are perceived to be under existential threat.
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.
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Race of Cain, ascend to heaven, And cast God down upon the earth!
