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.
Highlights
The success of radical‐right populist parties (RRP) across many Western democracies has created considerable interest among political scientists about the factors that have driven this support (e.g., Arzheimer & Berning, 2019; Gidron & Hall, 2017; Rydgren, 2008)
Politics and Governance, 2021, Volume 9, Issue 3, Pages 248–259 this question, we focus on three concepts that have been central to the public discussion of RRP support, but that have not yet been connected in the literature: narcissism, anger, and reactionary political orientation (RPO)
We contend that RPOs are an important factor in the study of RRP support, because RPOs directly explain subsequent vote choice, and because they are an important path on which personality traits, partic‐ ularly narcissistic rivalry, can be made politically salient and actionable
Summary
The success of radical‐right populist parties (RRP) across many Western democracies has created considerable interest among political scientists about the factors that have driven this support (e.g., Arzheimer & Berning, 2019; Gidron & Hall, 2017; Rydgren, 2008). A growing number of researchers have been studying the psychological characteristics and basic values that underpin RRP support This strand of research has highlighted the importance of funda‐ mental traits, such as the Big Five personality traits or grandiose narcissism, and has shown that a consider‐ able proportion of the population is, at least in principle, receptive to the appeal of RRPs (e.g., Ackermann et al, 2018; Aichholzer & Zandonella, 2016; Bakker et al, 2016; Mayer et al, 2020). Previous studies found that the effect of personal‐ ity traits on vote choice was mostly mediated by a set of more general attitudes or beliefs (e.g., Aichholzer & Zandonella, 2016; Schimpf & Schoen, 2017; Schoen & Schumann, 2007) We follow this mediation logic and draw on Capelos and Katsanidou’s (2018) concept of RPO to argue that focusing on such orientations helps clarify the mechanisms that connect psychological dynamics to political behaviour. By integrating insights from personality psychology and the affective intelli‐ gence framework (Marcus, 2000), we demonstrate how important negative emotionality, especially anger, is for “activating” the RPOs of narcissistic individuals, and their support for RRPs
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
