Antisemitism is predicted by anti-hierarchical aggression, totalitarianism, and belief in malevolent global conspiracies

Two cross-sectional studies were conducted using the Generalised Antisemitism (GeAs) scale to identify predictors of antisemitism in UK-resident adults. Study 1 used a self-selecting sample (n=809) to assess bivariate associations between antisemitism and demographics plus a wide range of ideological scales. Study 2 used a representative sample (n=1853) and tested, via multivariable linear models, the strongest non-demographic predictors from Study 1 alongside demographics. Ethnicity (other-than-white), support for totalitarian government, belief in malevolent global conspiracies, and anti-hierarchical aggression emerged as the strongest predictors of GeAs. Totalitarianism predicted ‘old’ (Judeophobic; JpAs) but not ‘new’ (Antizionist; AzAs) antisemitism, whereas ethnicity, anti-hierarchical aggression, and belief in malevolent global conspiracies predicted both. Findings suggest antisemitism is associated with conspiracist worldviews, desire to overturn the social order, and preference for authoritarian governance, which can be found on both right and left. Data and code are openly available.

Daniel Allington, David Hirsh, Louise Katz