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Violence-legitimizing masculinity beliefs are the strongest single factor behind war support, shows a study by Alexander Yendell (FGZ Leipzig) and David Herbert (University of Bergen) with over 1,000 respondents in the UK. Those who believe men should protect their families with violence or fight for honor support wars significantly more often. Additionally, authoritarian submission and sadistic character traits strengthen war acceptance. Childhood experiences with violence later foster such rigid masculinity images. Wars are not just strategic decisions but reflect deep-seated psychological structures. Published in Politics & Governance (Open Access)
A brutal childhood, glorified toughness, destructive images of masculinity: the recent scandal surrounding Elon Musk's father Errol shows how abused power, violence and outdated notions of masculinity continue to have an impact today. According to research by the New York Times, Errol Musk is alleged to have abused five of his children and stepchildren – allegations he denies. But the debate highlights a fundamental pattern: violence as part of male self-definition.
This very pattern is the focus of a recently published study by Alexander Yendell (FGZ Leipzig) and David Herbert (University of Bergen). The study analysed over 1,000 respondents in the United Kingdom and was published in the journal Politics & Governance.
One result stands out: those who condone violence in the name of a ‘masculine image of men’ – for example, that men should protect their families with violence or fight for honour – are far more likely to support war. This rigid image of masculinity is the strongest single factor behind support for war. In addition, authoritarian subordination, radical political views – and above all sadistic character traits, i.e. the desire to torture or humiliate others – also increase the willingness to support wars.
‘Wars are not just the result of strategic decisions. They reflect deep-seated psychological structures – and at the forefront of these are images of men that glorify violence,’ says Yendell.
Childhood shapes propensity for violence
The study shows that people who experienced violence or abuse as children are more likely to develop authoritarian, sadistic and rigid notions of masculinity – and are usually less critical of war later in life. Such experiences promote patterns of thinking that justify violence.
It's not just the powerful who are dangerous
The researchers warn against explaining wars solely in terms of individual rulers. The decisive factor is that broad sections of the population share certain patterns. It is not the individual alone who decides, but societies that support such attitudes.
Putin as an example
Vladimir Putin, who grew up in harsh conditions and is stylised as a strong man, embodies these psychological patterns in an extreme form – supported by a society in which harshness and violence are often ingrained from childhood.
Conclusion
Those who want to prevent violence and war must look beyond politics and strategy. They must recognise the psychological roots – and these lie primarily in hardened, violence-legitimising images of masculinity.
Study
Alexander Yendell & David Herbert: Authoritarianism and the Psychology of War: Exploring Personality Traits in the Legitimation of Military Conflict, in: Politics & Governance, Vol. 13, 2025 (Open Access). https://www.cogitatiopress.com/politicsandgovernance/article/view/10292
About the FGZ
The Research Institute for Social Cohesion (FGZ) is an interdisciplinary, transfer-oriented and geographically distributed institute. It was established in 2020 and is funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR). The FGZ combines basic research on social cohesion with application-oriented research on current challenges from a variety of disciplinary perspectives.
Contact
Kristin Voigtländer
Press and Public Relations
Research Institute for Social Cohesion
phone: +49 341 97-37762
mail: presse@fgz-risc.de
www.fgz-risc.de
https://www.cogitatiopress.com/politicsandgovernance/article/view/10292
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