The notion that 'if you can’t get even, get' mean'—including the urge to destroy that from which you feel excluded - is a strong drive in many and speaks to a profound psychological truth about human behaviour—when people feel rejected, defenseless, or unjustly treated, the impulse to lash out can become irresistible.
This dynamic, when scaled up to entire societies, offers a powerful causal explanation for the rise of populist authoritarian movements in an age of growing inequality. Feelings of marginalisation, status anxiety, insecurity, and distrust of other social groups are not just personal struggles; they are collective forces capable of reshaping political landscapes. Understanding these forces offers insight into why inequality drives social fragmentation and, ultimately, political upheaval.
We are social creatures, and the need for inclusion and belonging is one of our most fundamental drives. Exclusion—whether economic, cultural, or social—strikes at the very core of our sense of identity and worth. In societies where wealth disparities are glaringly obvious and opportunities are concentrated in the hands of the privileged few, large segments of the population are left feeling locked out of the benefits of progress.
This exclusion breeds deep resentment—not only toward elites, who are seen as gatekeepers to wealth and power, but also toward the social systems that perpetuate this inequality. It creates a sense of alienation, an understandable belief that the system is rigged, and that the rewards of society are reserved for others.
The sense of exclusion is compounded by status anxiety—the fear of losing one’s place in the social order. In many Western societies, where economic success and personal worth are tightly linked, the promise of upward mobility has become increasingly unattainable. For those who feel they are slipping down the social ladder, this anxiety manifests as a deep sense of insecurity. That insecurity is further inflamed when other groups—immigrants, minorities, technocrats, or the affluent—are perceived as unfairly benefiting or advancing at their expense. Resentment festers, fueled by the belief that success has become a zero-sum game where one group’s gain must come at another’s loss.
This insecurity often triggers what psychologists refer to as the authoritarian reflex. When people feel threatened—whether economically, socially, or culturally—they tend to gravitate toward strong, authoritarian figures who promise order, stability, and a return to a simpler, more familiar past. Populist leaders exploit this vulnerability, offering emotionally charged, simplistic solutions to complex problems. They direct the anger of the excluded toward convenient scapegoats, whether immigrants, minorities, or a 'globalist elite', and position themselves as champions of the 'forgotten' people. This narrative, while crude, is effective because it taps into deep emotional currents of fear, anger, and the desire for belonging.
Compounding these feelings of marginalisation and insecurity is a breakdown of trust—trust in governments, institutions, and even in other social groups. Economic inequality erodes the social fabric, creating divisions that make it much harder for people to perceive others as allies or equals. Instead, they view the world through an 'us versus them' lens, where cooperation seems impossible and coexistence actually feels threatening. Mistrust creates fertile ground for growing populist movements that thrive on division and exploit the fractures in society to consolidate power.
At the heart of this dynamic is a psychological response to perceived injustice: the urge to lash out when fairness feels unattainable. For those who feel excluded and powerless, destructive behaviour—whether supporting authoritarian leaders, endorsing punitive policies, or even engaging in violence—becomes a valid means of asserting agency. In this way, 'getting mean' is not just an emotional reaction; it's a form of protest against exclusion and a way of reclaiming a sense of control in a world that feels indifferent or hostile.
We cannot separate the rise of populist authoritarianism, then, from the structural inequalities that fuel it. In some Western societies, the gap between rich and poor has widened to unprecedented levels. Wages for the working and middle classes have stagnated, while the costs of essentials like housing, healthcare, and education have soared. At the same time, the wealthy have become even wealthier, while a new class of billionaires has accumulated extraordinary levels of influence and power. This economic divide creates a pervasive sense of betrayal, especially in societies that champion the myth of meritocracy, where success is supposed to come from hard work and talent. When that promise is broken, resentment is bound to take root.
This economic inequality is mirrored by cultural exclusion. The arts, higher education, even fundamentals such as access to nature, have become luxuries for those who can afford them. For example, the average ticket price for Taylor Swift's Eras Tour was reported to be approximately $1,088.56. On the resale market, prices soared to as much as $24,000 for premium seats, reflecting high demand and limited availability. In contrast, ticket prices for Blackpink's upcoming concerts in Seoul, part of their 2025 world tour, average just $142. Even so, these prices have sparked controversy, with many fans expressing concerns about the affordability of attending the concerts.
The ability to enjoy life’s enriching experiences—whether attending a concert, visiting a national park, or studying for a university degree—has been increasingly reserved for the privileged. For those left out, this exclusion deepens feelings of alienation, reinforcing the perception that society is divided into the 'haves' and the 'have-nots'. Populist leaders capitalize on this divide, portraying themselves as defenders of traditional values and 'ordinary people' against an out-of-touch, elitist cultural class.
The failure of mainstream political parties to address these inequalities has only exacerbated the problem. Many centrist parties have embraced neoliberal policies that prioritise market efficiency over social equity, leaving significant portions of the population feeling abandoned. This political vacuum has allowed populist movements to flourish, offering simplistic but emotionally resonant solutions to highly complex challenges. Their message is clear: the system is broken, and only they can fix it. For many, this message resonates because it acknowledges their pain, even if the solutions offered are destructive or divisive.
The blatant reality is that the only way to counter the rise of populist authoritarianism is to address the root cause: inequality. Greater equality is not just a moral imperative; it is a practical necessity for preserving democracy, rebuilding trust, and furthering social cohesion. When people feel that their basic needs are met and that they have a fair shot at improving their lives, they are far less likely to succumb to the fear and resentment that fuel authoritarian impulses.
Governments must take bold action to eliminate inequality. Progressive taxation is essential so as to redistribute wealth and fund public goods that benefit everyone. Investments in healthcare, education, affordable housing, and social safety nets are critical to restoring stability and injecting hope. Rebuilding trust in institutions requires visible efforts to reduce corruption and ensure that policies serve the common good rather than the interests of the wealthy few. And addressing cultural exclusion means creating opportunities for all people to access the arts, education, and natural spaces that enrich life and foster a sense of belonging. Inequality must be eliminated wherever it exists. Even disparities in corrections, for example, can be addressed by ensuring fair sentencing practices, providing rehabilitative support during incarceration, and removing the stigma of imprisonment so that individuals who have served their sentences can reintegrate into society with access to jobs, housing, and opportunities to rebuild their lives.
Ultimately, the rise of populist authoritarianism is not an inevitable outcome of human nature; it is a response to systems that exclude, marginalise, and are clearly biased. By addressing these systemic failures, we can gradually counter the forces of resentment and division. Yet the one thing that can stop the rise of fascism is the one thing mainstream political parties are currently not prepared to deliver: greater equality. The rich should be taxed more, and the revenue used to improve the lives of the poor. However hysterically we try to avoid this issue, there is no other way.
The challenge is immense: without greater equality, the cycle of exclusion, anger, and autocracy will only deepen. To break this cycle, we must encourage societies where fairness is not a distant promise but a lived reality—where everyone, not just the privileged few, has a stake in the future. Only then can we move beyond the destructive impulse to 'get mean' and toward a more just and equitable world.