November 30, 2021
The number of countries moving toward authoritarianism is about three times higher than the number moving toward democracy, according to the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance. The institute says governments have used Covid-19 to “double down on popular expression, and push for more direct control.” Many democratic governments have adopted restrictions that “mimic the practices of authoritarian regimes.” In Australia’s Northern Territory, officials are sending Covid-19 patients to quarantine camps and limiting the movement of people in the neighboring towns of Rockhole and Binjari, where nine cases of the virus were identified. Meanwhile, CNBC reports that Europeans have taken to the streets to oppose Covid rules and lockdowns. Lawmakers are considering even stricter rules, which could lead to even more protests. Our research shows that negative mood engenders strong authoritarian and anti-authoritarian impulses. To learn more read “Authoritarianism Versus Anti-Authoritarianism: The Tension Boils Over as Negative Mood Deepens.”
If you look closely, you can see patterns in social mood that help you predict social trends. Learn more with the Socionomics Premier Membership.
The Socionomist enables you to see trend-shaping waves of social mood, as reflected by the stock market — and capitalize on them. The April 2023 issue looks at negative social mood’s influence on the tumultuous history of the Mexican Revolution. Mood Riffs topics include President Joe Biden’s reelection prospects, challenges facing corporate giants, the new workplace trend known as Bare-Minimum Monday, and British Columbia’s effort to relax laws governing hard drugs. Read the April issue when you become a Socionomics Premier Member. 
