RELATIONSHIP OF SDO AND RIGHT-WING AUTHORITARIANISM (R-WA)
Understanding the relationship between Social Dominance Orientation (SDO) and Right‑Wing Authoritarianism (R-WA) matters because together they explain a large share of prejudice, anti‑egalitarian attitudes, and support for certain kinds of political leaders and regimes. They are distinct but complementary dimensions of how people relate to authority, hierarchy, and out‑groups. They are keys for analyzing contemporary polarization and backsliding from democratic ideologies

Research shows that many Trump supporters score high on both SDO and R-WA. But Trump’s approach lines up more with SDO’s competitive, forceful style than R-WA’s rule‑focused style, which helps explain why he often challenges political norms, such as calling institutions “fake news.” This strategy appeals to the aggressive, power-hungry side of high SDO voters who act like ruthless competitors who push to the top of social hierarchies by dominating others.