The strongman phenomenon: unpacking the role of subjective class

This study examines the relationship between subjective class identification and support for strongman leadership in the context of rising inequality and democratic backsliding. While existing research links economic discontent to authoritarian or populist preferences, less attention has been paid to how individuals' perceived socio-economic position shapes attitudes toward leadership that challenges democratic norms. Drawing on World Values Survey data (1994–2022), the analysis tests whether subjective class position predicts support for strongman figures who seek to bypass institutional constraints and centralize authority. The results reveal a consistent pattern: individuals identifying as middle class are significantly less likely to favor strongman leadership, whereas those who perceive themselves at the lower or upper ends of the class spectrum show greater authoritarian inclinations. This asymmetry suggests that political preferences are shaped not only by material conditions but also by relative interpretations of social standing. To account for these patterns, this study proposes three mechanisms: status preservation among the upper class, symbolic reassurance among the lower class, and democratic alignment among the middle class grounded in perceived stability. By foregrounding subjective class perceptions, this study contributes to broader debates on democratic resilience and the political consequences of perceived inequality.