Escape from Freedom

Why do people choose authoritarianism over freedom? The classic study of the psychological appeal of fascism by the New York Times–bestselling author.

The pursuit of freedom has indelibly marked Western culture since Renaissance humanism and Protestantism began the fight for individualism and self-determination. This freedom, however, can make people feel unmoored, and is often accompanied by feelings of isolation, fear, and the loss of self, all leading to a desire for authoritarianism, con...