In the last few days, a couple of things have raised the issue of empathy for both the public interest and individuals. MAGA ideology and politics is a major driver of this inquiry. I suspected that social science about authoritarianism and libertarian free markets would be marked by less empathy than normal reference point data. I asked Pxy. My suspicions were generally right according to this short analysis.
Q: How true is this?: "Lots of people sympathetic to authoritarianism or libertarian free markets seem be hostile to, or completely reject, the concepts of the public interest and empathy for individuals who don't play by their their rules. Lack of empathy for anyone or group outside of ones-self seems to be a pretty common thing."A: The statement that individuals sympathetic to authoritarianism or libertarian free markets often reject concepts of public interest and empathy for those outside their rules is broadly supported by research, though with nuances depending on the ideology. Here's a breakdown:
Authoritarianism and Empathy
Authoritarian systems prioritize centralized power, repression, and hierarchical control 1 7. Key traits linked to authoritarianism include:
Low empathy: Authoritarian individuals often display indifference to others' suffering, prioritizing rigid hierarchies and in-group loyalty over compassion 6.
Prejudice and exclusion: They tend to categorize people into groups, supporting discriminatory policies and rejecting diversity 6 7.
Rejection of public interest: Authoritarian regimes and their supporters frequently undermine democratic accountability, favoring corporate power or elite interests over collective welfare 7.
Libertarianism and Empathy
Libertarian ideology, particularly its right-wing variants, emphasizes individualism and minimal government intervention. Research highlights:
Lower empathy scores: Studies show libertarians score lower on empathic concern compared to liberals and conservatives, correlating with skepticism toward altruism as a moral duty 2 5.
Hostility to social programs: Critics argue libertarians prioritize tax reduction over social safety nets, framing such programs as coercive 3 7.
Nuanced perspectives: Some libertarians argue empathy drives their focus on removing harmful policies and fostering community-based solutions rather than state intervention 4.Ideological Asymmetry in Empathy
Neuroimaging and psychological studies consistently find:
Liberals exhibit stronger empathy responses: Left-leaning individuals show higher neural and self-reported empathy, motivating support for egalitarian policies 5 8.
Conservatives and libertarians: While conservatives may extend empathy to in-groups, libertarians often resist systemic empathy-driven policies, reflecting a prioritization of individual autonomy 3 5.Conclusion
The claim holds merit, particularly for authoritarianism, which structurally opposes empathy and public welfare. Libertarian free-market ideology also shows tendencies to devalue systemic empathy, though some proponents frame their goals through a lens of voluntary cooperation. Both ideologies contrast sharply with liberal emphasis on collective responsibility, illustrating a broader ideological divide in how empathy and public interest are conceptualized 2 5 7.
That's just one low-level analysis, but it feels right to me[1]. That feeling is based on research results I believe I correctly recall, even if I can't point to the research papers and books that informed my opinion.