Contemporary political problems like outgroup aggression and conspiracy theories are often linked to increasing polarization. This study proposes an alternative explanation: these issues stem partly from a less familiar "anti-establishment" dimension of opinion, distinct from traditional left-right views.
Qualitative analysis reveals this second axis represents beliefs driven by populism, Manicheanism (seeing the world as purely good vs. evil), and conspiratorial thinking. Individuals scoring high on this anti-establishment orientation tend to exhibit specific psychological traits associated with antisocial behavior.
Our findings show a strong connection between anti-establishment views and acceptance of political violence. They also highlight correlations with time spent on extremist social media platforms, support for populist leaders like Trump and Sanders, and susceptibility to misinformation and conspiracy theories.
This research suggests that understanding mass opinion requires looking beyond the standard partisan identities we often associate with politics. The results underscore the need for more nuanced models incorporating these affective orientations alongside traditional ideological frameworks.
