ABSTRACT
The straightforward account of the association between collective narcissism and political orientation is complicated by the fact that collective narcissists in advantaged and disadvantaged groups embrace different worldviews: anti-egalitarian and conservative vs. egalitarian and liberal, respectively. National collective narcissism and collective narcissism in advantaged groups, however, are systematically related to political conservatism and right-wing political orientation. They are also positively associated with right-wing authoritarianism and social dominance orientation, ideological orientations comprising political conservatism. However, national collective narcissists endorse prejudice and follow undemocratic and ruthless leaders for different reasons than authoritarians and people high in social dominance orientation. All three variables are distinct and associated with different moral intuitions. National collective narcissists value loyalty to the group and its authorities and are willing to harm others in the name of the group. They prefer ruthless, undemocratic leaders that assert power with coercive means. They are simultaneously subservient and rebellious, willing to support violence to maintain and to overthrow the status quo. National collective narcissism is associated not only with right- but also with left-wing authoritarianism and anti-establishment orientation. This suggests that collective narcissists see themselves predominantly as revolutionaries challenging the establishment in the name of the ingroup, reflecting their general susceptibility to delusional beliefs. They endorse any beliefs that legitimize their prejudice as well as disruption and intergroup hostility.
