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Angry Reactionary Narcissists? Anger Activates the Link Between Narcissism and Right-Populist Party Support

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  • Sabrina Jasmin Mayer

    (Cluster for Data and Methods, German Center for Integration and Migration Research (DeZIM), Germany / Department of Political Science, University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany)

  • Christoph Giang Nguyen

    (Otto-Suhr Institute, Freie Universität Berlin, Germany)

Abstract

Even though previous research connected personality traits and support for radical-right populist parties (RRP), the question of which mechanisms connect these concepts is still underexplored. In particular, we focus on narcissistic rivalry, a maladaptive path of grandiose narcissism. Drawing on the affective intelligence framework and the narcissistic admiration and rivalry concept, we propose that the effect of rival narcissism on vote choice for the German Alternative für Deutschland is mediated by reactionary political orientations and activated by anger. Drawing on 2017 data from the mixed-mode representative GESIS panel (N = 2,552 & 1,901), we employ moderated mediation analyses. We show that reactionary political orientations mediate the relationship between narcissistic rivalry and RRP support. However, high levels of generalised anger are needed to activate the relationship between personality, reactionary values, and RRP support, whereas the mediating role of anti-immigrant sentiment is not affected by anger. Our study emphasises the role of anger in RRP support, thus showing that anger might explain why only some people with a specific predisposition support RRPs. The study also stresses the complexity of the relationship between personality, value orientations, and political behaviour.

Suggested Citation

  • Sabrina Jasmin Mayer & Christoph Giang Nguyen, 2021. "Angry Reactionary Narcissists? Anger Activates the Link Between Narcissism and Right-Populist Party Support," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 9(3), pages 248-259.
    • Handle: RePEc:cog:poango:v9:y:2021:i:3:p:248-259
    DOI: 10.17645/pag.v9i3.4000
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Robert Ford & Matthew J. Goodwin, 2010. "Angry White Men: Individual and Contextual Predictors of Support for the British National Party," Political Studies, Political Studies Association, vol. 58(1), pages 1-25, February.
    2. Mikko Salmela & Tereza Capelos, 2021. "Ressentiment: A Complex Emotion or an Emotional Mechanism of Psychic Defences?," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 9(3), pages 191-203.
    3. Mikko Salmela & Tereza Capelos, 2021. "Ressentiment: A Complex Emotion or an Emotional Mechanism of Psychic Defences?," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 9(3), pages 191-203.
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    Cited by:

    1. Tereza Capelos & Mikko Salmela & Gabija Krisciunaite, 2022. "Grievance Politics: An Empirical Analysis of Anger Through the Emotional Mechanism of Ressentiment," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 10(4), pages 384-395.
    2. Mikko Salmela & Tereza Capelos, 2021. "Ressentiment: A Complex Emotion or an Emotional Mechanism of Psychic Defences?," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 9(3), pages 191-203.
    3. Diogo Ferrari, 2021. "Perceptions, Resentment, Economic Distress, and Support for Right-Wing Populist Parties in Europe," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 9(3), pages 274-287.
    4. Tereza Capelos & Stavroula Chrona & Mikko Salmela & Cristiano Bee, 2021. "Reactionary Politics and Resentful Affect in Populist Times," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 9(3), pages 186-190.

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