On the political compass, and in general, there is a trend towards social authoritarianism. Why is this?
Society HAS ALWAYS BEEN TRENDING TOWARD SOCIAL AUTHORITARIANISM, it's just that some people are less authoritarian than others (but those people are a very minute few).
It's the way of the world Winston, it sucks mightily but until the influences of traditionalism wear off most people will naturally incline towards certain authoritarianistic elements.
I would venture a guess that society (American society, at least) is less socially authoritarian now than it was in the 1950s. There might be something to saying that there is a long-term trend towards social authoritarianism, but that does not really bear out as a strictly increasing function.
Right in some ways, wrong in others. America doesn't function as an ideology. We move left on some things and right on others. Gun control is less acceptable now than it was simply ten years ago, gay marriage is more acceptable. Likewise, abortion support has dropped. America has a similar relationship with economic issues.
