ABSTRACT
Many citizens in contemporary society hold strong anti-establishment sentiments, as reflected in conspiracy theories, populist attitudes, and support for radical political movements. The current contribution examines the role of insecurity in such anti-establishment sentiments. First, the chapter reviews evidence from various disciplines that feelings of insecurity are a main driver of these different manifestations of anti-establishment sentiments. Second, the chapter illuminates how anti-establishment sentiments may be emotionally and cognitively appealing when people feel insecure. Specifically, (1) anti-establishment beliefs satisfy a cognitive need for epistemic clarity, by making complex societal problems and their solutions easy to understand. Furthermore, (2) anti-establishment beliefs foster self-enhancement: Believing that oneself or one’s group is part of a meaningful struggle against an immoral establishment increases feelings of importance. Finally, (3) anti-establishment beliefs stimulate a range of emotions that help people cope with insecurity. Anti-establishment movements glorify the past, and therefore, anti-establishment attitudes are associated with feelings of nostalgia; moreover, people may experience the struggle against powerful elites as exciting, highlighting the rewarding aspects of insecurity. I conclude that feelings of insecurity are key to understand anti-establishment sentiments.
