Authoritarian leadership rises as media and religion decline

New research from the ANU Centre for Social Research and Methods reveals a decline in traditional institutions and rise in support for authoritarian leadership, particularly among younger people.

According to data from the new Australian Values Study, 3% of Australians rated having an authoritarian style of leader as being ‘very good’ or ‘fairly good.’ Support was strongest among those under the age of 35.

Lead researcher Dr Jill Sheppard said this contrasts with starkly Australians aged over 50 who “overwhelmingly think such a system is a bad idea.”

The survey data also shows confidence and support for traditional institutions has fallen.

63% of respondent said they had little confidence in political parties, while 27% said they had done at all.

The fourth estate, the media, has also taken a hit, with 25% saying they had no confidence in the press, up from 22% in 2012. And again the trend is strongest among younger people.

“I suspect that’s a reflection of established media outlets failing to cater to young and emerging audiences.” Dr Sheppard said.

And religion has also declined, with a survey record of 20% of Australians identifying as Atheist, compared to just 5% in 1995.

Surprising perhaps is the divergent views about what happens to us after death. More than half of Australians believe in God, and half believe there is a heaven. Yet only a fraction believe in Hell.

Can it be put down to Australian optimism?

“I’m not sure why that is,” Dr Sheppard says.

The full 2018 Australian Values Study can be found on the CSRM website here: http://csrm.cass.anu.edu.au/