The Frozen Politics of Postmodernism: How Political Authoritarianism Emerged from the Academy’s Coolest Trend
Wednesday, January 22, 2025.
Once upon a time, postmodernism was the rebellious philosopher at the intellectual party. When I was getting my second degree at Antioch, postmodernism was all the rage.
It questioned objective truths, smashed oppressive structures, and declared that everything—from science to art—was shaped by subjective experiences.
Fast-forward to today, and postmodernism, once the darling of radical thought, is being implicated in something few could have foreseen: the rise of left-wing authoritarianism (LWA).
A new study published in Applied Cognitive Psychology found that folks with strong liberal postmodern beliefs—those who reject universal truths in favor of subjective perspectives—are more likely to support authoritarian measures, such as censorship and revolutionary justice.
Even more surprising, these authoritarian tendencies flourish when psychological distress is low.
Yes, you read that right: happy, stable people can sometimes make the most rigid ideologues. What’s going on here? Let’s dive in.
Postmodernism: From Intellectual Freedom to Ideological Rigidity
Before diving into the specifics of this study, let’s remind ourselves of what postmodernism is—or, more accurately, what it was.
Emerging in the mid-20th century, postmodernism challenged the Enlightenment ideals of universal truth, logic, and reason. Instead, it argued that knowledge is shaped by culture, history, and power structures. In its prime, postmodernism was an edgy critique of the status quo.
But like any intellectual movement, postmodernism evolved—or mutated, depending on how you see it. Today, we’re witnessing two distinct postmodernisms:
Liberal Postmodernism: This version thrives on critiquing societal hierarchies and elevating subjective experiences. It argues that your "lived truth" matters as much as, if not more than, "objective facts."
Conservative Postmodernism: This cousin wears a different coat but shares a family resemblance. It applies skepticism selectively, challenging areas like climate science or vaccine mandates under the guise of "questioning the experts."
While these camps often feud, they share one key trait: a distrust of evidence-based overarching narratives. And this distrust sets the stage for something unexpected—authoritarianism.
How Left-Wing Authoritarianism Creeps In
The study, authored by Sebastian Deverson and colleagues, surveyed 365 participants from North America, Europe, and Africa. Participants completed measures assessing postmodern beliefs, authoritarian tendencies, psychological distress, and social dominance orientation.
Liberal postmodernism showed a strong link to left-wing authoritarianism, measured by agreement with statements like:
"Political violence can be constructive when it serves the cause of social justice."
"Getting rid of inequality is more important than protecting the so-called ‘right’ to free speech."
"If I could remake society, I would put people who currently have the most privilege at the very bottom."
The findings suggest that the postmodern left’s skepticism of universal truths doesn’t translate into a rejection of authority.
Instead, it often fosters a desire to reallocate authority—by force if necessary. This isn’t the freewheeling, anti-authoritarian postmodernism of the 1960s. It’s a stricter, angrier version, weaponized for a polarized era.
The Psychological Distress Paradox
Here’s where things get weird: psychological distress—a state characterized by anxiety, sadness, and hopelessness—did not amplify the link between postmodern beliefs and authoritarian tendencies. In fact, the relationship was stronger among those with lower distress levels.
Why?
The researchers speculate that folks with low distress may feel more secure in their group identity, leading them to double down on ideological rigidity.
When people aren’t overwhelmed by their own emotional struggles, they have more bandwidth to engage in moral certainty and social activism. In contrast, distressed folks may lack the energy to sustain rigid ideological commitments.
This is a counterintuitive twist. We often assume authoritarianism arises from fear or insecurity, but this study suggests that confidence and stability can sometimes fuel dogmatic thinking.
Postmodern Left vs. Postmodern Right: More Similar Than You Think?
My beef has always been with the debased, loathsome thinking known as postmodernism, It has dragged us into a filthy mess.
The postmodern left and right often position themselves as polar opposites. One seems to challenge traditional hierarchies, while the other seem to cling to them. But dig a little deeper, and the cultural catastrophe of their shared traits start to emerge:
Selective Skepticism
Both camps reject objective truths, but they pick and choose where to apply this skepticism.
The postmodern left questions scientific and cultural norms tied to power dynamics (e.g., gender binaries, capitalist systems).
The postmodern right challenges expert consensus on issues like climate change or vaccines, citing "freedom" and "individual rights."
Distrust of Institutions
Neither side trusts traditional institutions—be it the media, academia, or government—unless they align with their ideological goals.
Moral Certainty
Despite their professed skepticism, both camps often hold their own beliefs as morally absolute. For example:
The postmodern left might argue, "Social justice trumps free speech."
The postmodern right might say, "Individual liberty trumps collective safety."
What It Means for Academia
The findings of this study highlight a growing trend in academic and cultural discourse: the blurring of skepticism and authoritarianism.
In academia, where postmodern ideas first gained traction, this shift raises uncomfortable questions.
Have we traded intellectual freedom for ideological rigidity? Has the critique of power turned into a new form of dogma?
The jaded corrupt post-modern thinking is there already. It will just be Trumpified, and mark me, it will. Academia will be littered with epiphanies and vacancies.
It’s worth remembering that postmodernism’s original goal was to question authority, not to replace it with a new one.
But as ideas spread from academic theory to public discourse, they reliably lose nuance.
What starts as an intellectual exploration can snowball into a political weapon, stripped of its original complexity. That’s where are now with the postmodern sh*tshow in which we have no values, and believe in nothing except our own curated constructs of identity. Swell.
My Cautionary Tale
The rise of left-wing authoritarianism among liberal postmodernists is a cautionary tale for anyone who values critical thinking.
It’s a reminder that no ideology is immune to the allure of power. Whether on the left or right, authoritarianism often starts with good intentions—"equality," "freedom"—before spiraling into rigidity and repression.
As we navigate an increasingly polarized world, we must resist the temptation to turn skepticism into dogma. Question authority, yes. But also question your own certainty.
Be Well, Stay Kind, and Godspeed.
REFERENCES:
Deverson, S., Delfabbro, P., & Georgiou, N. (2025). The moderating role of psychological distress in the relationship between postmodernism and left-wing authoritarianism. Applied Cognitive Psychology. https://doi.org/10.xxxxx
Altemeyer, B. (1996). The authoritarian specter. Harvard University Press.
Duckitt, J. (2001). A dual-process cognitive-motivational theory of ideology and prejudice. Advances in Experimental Social Psychology, 33, 41–113. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0065-2601(01)80004-6
Jost, J. T., Glaser, J., Kruglanski, A. W., & Sulloway, F. J. (2003). Political conservatism as motivated social cognition. Psychological Bulletin, 129(3), 339–375. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.129.3.339
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