According to Applebaum, over the years some of the attendees came to embrace right-wing populism and authoritarianism (with some even promoting antisemitic conspiracy theories),[2] while others continued to be democrats.

[3] Instead, their role is "to defend the leaders, however dishonest their statements, however great their corruption, however disastrous their impact on ordinary people and institutions".

[4] Contrary to contemporary explanations of authoritarian support—economic distress, fear of terrorism, and the pressures of immigration—[1] she notes that these clercs are highly educated, well travelled, and economically prosperous.

[5][3] In particular, in post-Communist Europe, Applebaum finds that many former anti-Communist activists felt let down by the system of meritocracy which did not give them the results they thought they deserved.

[3] Applebaum writes that many followers of the right-wing populist parties came to believe in "medium-sized lies", conspiracy theories, and alternate realities.