my father was a strict, grumpy alcoholic. I've been averse to authoritarianism for pretty much as long as I can remember. but to hear my father tell it (as he often did when I asked him why he was being so mean), his dad was even more strict and unforgiving. this explanation made no sense to me (so in his mind I really had no cause to complain). I couldn't help but wonder how my dad could be that way despite his having to know how shitty it is to be at the total mercy of an inflexible authoritarian. what happened?

It wasn't because he really supported authoritarianism - after all, he hated his dad. he had to at some level understand that there was something wrong with it, yet he nevertheless became one himself

he was otherwise honest, hard working and willing to make sacrifices for the sake of his family. he wasn't evil - just sick, insecure and afraid. his was a classic case of self-medicating and compensation, one from which he might never have recovered from had his wife and children simply washed their hands of him years ago. and now he's 20 years sober, more relaxed and happy. everything I admired in him when I was a child, and very, very little of what I hated and feared in him. I'm glad he's still in my life.

So I don't think it's all that sus

As for your last paragraph... I would rather humanity meet the challenges posed by climate change within the context of participate democracy/universal suffrage and individual liberty. if it cannot, then perhaps it deserves to die out