A new Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) survey finds four in ten Americans (41%) are susceptible to authoritarianism. This finding is based on the Child-Rearing Authoritarian Scale (CRAS), an alternative measure of authoritarianism based on child-rearing preferences.

The poll measures the relationship between authoritarianism and Christian nationalism. It also investigates the U.S. citizenry’s dedication to the values of democracy and its inclination to accept political violence.

While most reject political violence, the report titled, “One Leader Under God: The Connection Between Authoritarianism and Christian Nationalism in America,” found the strongest support among Republicans. This is especially true for those who support former president Donald Trump and white Christian nationalism, as well as white evangelical Protestants and weekly churchgoers. 

White evangelical Protestants scored high (64%) on the Right-Wing Authoritarianism Scale (RWAS). This religious group is closely followed by Protestants of color (55%), Hispanic Protestants (54%), and white Catholics (54%). 

Though most Americans do not “hold highly authoritarian views,” more than half of self- identified Republicans “scored high” (67%) on the RWAS. This is compared to 35% of independents and 28% of Democrats.

“Notably, while the vast majority of Americans reject the use of political violence, those who support authoritarianism are nearly twice as likely as the general public to support it,” PRRI President and Founder Robert P. Jones said. “These findings should serve as an important warning as we enter an election season that is incredibly consequential for the health of American democracy.” 

Click here to read the full report.