Death, Dread, and the Desire for the Centre: How Our Fear of Mortality Shapes Political Views

The human fear of death (dread) creates a profound existential anxiety. To cope with this, people are driven to seek psychological security and a sense of order. In a political context, this search for security can lead them toward centrist positions.

The centrist approach is seen as a safe haven that offers stability and avoids the chaos and radicalism of political extremes. Embracing moderation and consensus provides a sense of control and predictability, thereby helping to alleviate the deep-seated anxiety associated with the awareness of one's own mortality.