Authoritarianism

Concerns about why and under what circumstances individuals would relinquish their own freedoms and put their faith in autocratic leaders are re-emerging as an important topic in the field of leadership research. In the present review, the authors cover the history of research on authoritarianism, the developmental origins of authoritarian values, and the implications of authoritarian individuals in the workplace. The authors also discuss the nature and effects of autocratic leaders in terms of their impact on their followers’ performance and well-being, but also key moderators of these effects. The chapter concludes with evaluations of where the study of authoritarians is headed in the future as well as the societal implications of authoritarianism more broadly.