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What causes someone to become authoritarian? Individuals with authoritarian personalities exhibit a rigid acceptance of authority. These individuals are racially and ethnically prejudiced. They have no problem being violent towards their targets of prejudice and hate. They have a simplistic view of the world based on a type of thinking that the world is "us" versus "them," or "good" and "evil," leaving little room for grey areas. The development of authoritarian personalities is theorized to stem from early childhood experiences. Adorno suggested a socialization process where parents emphasize obedience, discipline, and respect for authority, allowing the development of these characteristics in their offspring. In this setting, parent-child relations are "hierarchical, authoritarian, and exploitative." These parents have a psychological need for domination and harshly threaten their children to compel obedience.  Such domineering parents also are preoccupied with social status, a concern they communicate by having the child follow rigid rules. Because of such domination, the child suffers emotionally from suppressing their aggression and resentment towards the overbearing parents, whom the child reverently idealizes but does not criticize. There are three psychological characteristics of the authoritarian personality:  (1) Submission to legitimate authorities;  (2) Aggression towards minority groups.  (3) Adherence to cultural values and right-wing political beliefs. Recent developments in the United States and worldwide show the power people with authoritarian personalities exert. For example, the United States has seen the rise of more far right-wing and neo-nazi groups. The most important book on this topic is by Erich Fromm, "Escape From Freedom." I urge everyone to read this unforgettable book. We are living in a dangerous time. Because of multiple national and world changes, people are experiencing increasing anxiety, insecurity, and despair. Inflation, rising gasoline prices, food insecurity, climate changes, and the recent COVID-19 pandemic provide fertile soil for authoritarian types to grab power. Yes, America, the bastion of democracy, can fall to authoritarianism. I am worried about our nation and our democracy.