The role of education in taming authoritarian attitudes

Abstract

The new report presents empirical evidence that higher levels of education are associated with stronger support for democratic principles. While people can express authoritarian preferences at all levels of educational attainment, higher education, especially in the liberal arts, appears to mitigate against authoritarian tendencies. Compared to those with no more than a high school diploma, bachelor’s degree holders were significantly less inclined to express authoritarian preferences and attitudes. Associate’s degree holders were also somewhat less inclined than those with no more than a high school diploma to express such preferences and attitudes.