> I think countries with division and low social trust and cohesion necessarily require increasingly authoritarian measures from the government to hold them together.
This sounds like it makes sense, but in reality, the most authoritarian countries throughout history and presently are highly nationalist.
A strong and cohesive national identity does not reduce authoritarianism. If anything, it seems to be one of the primary and most reliable indicators of authoritarianism.
social trust and cohesion aren't necessarily a pride in national identity. Scandinavian countries are highly homogenous, high social trust, and extraordinarily cohesive, and isn't very nationalistic or prideful in its identity - short of the run-of-mill "white" bickering.
This sounds like it makes sense, but in reality, the most authoritarian countries throughout history and presently are highly nationalist.
A strong and cohesive national identity does not reduce authoritarianism. If anything, it seems to be one of the primary and most reliable indicators of authoritarianism.