Carnism and Authoritarianism: Ideological Parallels of Power and Control
Politics | Ideology
Carnism, a term coined by social psychologist Dr. Melanie Joy, refers to the invisible belief system that justifies the consumption of animal products. It operates as a deeply ingrained ideology that normalizes violence against certain animals while denying the moral and ethical implications of doing so.
‘‘Carnism and authoritarianism both thrive on control, violence, and suppression of dissent. Animals are exploited and dehumanized, while authoritarian regimes oppress people. Both systems rely on denial and normalization of harm, making it crucial to challenge these structures and promote compassion and justice for all beings.’’
While many people are familiar with authoritarianism as a political system characterized by centralized control, suppression of dissent, and the normalization of violence, fewer may recognize the striking parallels between carnism and authoritarianism. Both ideologies share underlying mechanisms that maintain control, reinforce hierarchies, and marginalize those who challenge them.
Normalization of Violence
At the core of both carnism and authoritarianism is the normalization of violence. In carnism, violence against animals is rendered invisible through social conditioning. The practice of eating animals is accepted without question, as individuals are often taught from a young age that consuming meat, dairy, and eggs is natural, normal, and necessary. This normalization desensitizes society to the suffering inflicted upon billions of animals annually, masking the violence behind euphemisms like “harvesting” or “processing.” In this way, carnism functions as a system that conceals the brutality of animal agriculture.
Similarly, authoritarianism normalizes state violence against marginalized groups or political dissenters. In authoritarian regimes, actions such as repression, imprisonment, or even outright violence against citizens are framed as necessary measures for maintaining order and stability. Just as carnism creates a cultural narrative that hides the harm inflicted on animals, authoritarian regimes often present their violent tactics as justified in the name of national security or the greater good.
Denial and Justification
Both carnism and authoritarianism are built on denial and justification. In the case of carnism, society employs psychological mechanisms to avoid confronting the ethical issues of animal exploitation. Cognitive dissonance—the mental discomfort of holding conflicting beliefs—leads many to deny the reality of animal suffering or justify their consumption by claiming that eating animals is essential for human health or tradition. Euphemistic language further reinforces this denial by creating emotional distance between consumers and the harm they are causing. Terms like "bacon" or "steak" hide the fact that these products come from living beings who suffered and died.
Authoritarianism operates in much the same way. Authoritarian regimes use propaganda and manipulation to create narratives that justify their actions. Through control of the media and dissemination of state-sponsored rhetoric, authoritarian governments convince the populace that their policies are necessary, even when they involve human rights abuses. Just as carnism relies on denial to sustain itself, authoritarianism depends on distorting reality to keep the public compliant and supportive of the regime’s violent tactics.
Suppression of Dissent
In both carnism and authoritarianism, dissent is systematically silenced. The animal rights movement, which challenges the ethics of carnism, is often marginalized or ridiculed. Those who advocate for animals are frequently dismissed as radical or extreme, while the overwhelming majority of society continues to adhere to carnist practices without question. This marginalization of dissent protects the status quo, ensuring that the exploitation of animals continues unabated.
Authoritarian regimes also thrive on the suppression of dissent. Political opposition is often crushed through censorship, intimidation, or violence. Dissenting voices are labeled as enemies of the state, traitors, or radicals. By silencing opposition, authoritarian systems maintain their grip on power, preventing meaningful change and reinforcing existing power structures. In both carnism and authoritarianism, dissent is framed as a threat to the established order, making it difficult for alternative viewpoints to gain traction.
Othering and Exploitation
Another key parallel between carnism and authoritarianism is the process of "othering." In carnism, animals are objectified and treated as commodities rather than sentient beings with their own interests. This dehumanization allows for their exploitation, as animals are seen not as individuals with rights but as resources to be used for human benefit. The psychological distancing between humans and animals serves to justify their mistreatment.
Authoritarian regimes similarly engage in the process of othering, dehumanizing groups or individuals they seek to exploit or control. Political enemies, minorities, and marginalized communities are often portrayed as dangerous or inferior, creating a moral justification for their repression. In both systems, exploitation is facilitated by stripping the victims—whether animals or humans—of their personhood or agency.
Conclusion
Carnism and authoritarianism are both ideological systems that rely on the normalization of violence, denial, suppression of dissent, and exploitation through othering. These parallels reveal the broader ways in which power structures operate in society, whether they are used to justify the consumption of animals or to maintain control over human populations. Both carnism and authoritarianism depend on the complicity of the majority and the marginalization of dissenting voices. Recognizing these parallels can help illuminate the deeper connections between social justice movements and the fight for animal rights, reminding us that challenging one form of violence and exploitation may also help dismantle others.
Resources
Dr. Melanie Joy's TEDx Talk, Toward Rational, Authentic Food Choices
PETA, What Is Carnism?
This Is One of the Most-Viewed TEDx Videos of All Time | PETA
https://www.peta.org/blog/melanie-joy-carnism-video/Advancing freedom, defeating authoritarianism: A democracy agenda for 2025-2029 - Atlantic Council
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General Resources
Books:
Dominion: The Power of Animals in Nature and in Our Imagination by Matthew Scully
Animal Liberation by Peter Singer
Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer
A Billion Hungry Mouths: Feeding the World Without Consuming the Planet by Colin Tudge
Websites and organizations:
Documentaries:
Articles:
"The Case for Animal Rights" by Tom Regan
‘‘Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows: An Introduction to Carnism’’ by Melanie Joy
‘‘Animal Rights: The Abolitionist Approach’’ by Gary L. Francione
‘‘Fellow Creatures: Our Obligations to the Other Animals’’ by Christine Korsgaard
Seeds of Compassion: Finding Jesus Christ in a Vegan World by Michael Corthell
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"...Similarly, authoritarianism normalizes state violence against marginalized groups or political dissenters. In authoritarian regimes, actions such as repression, imprisonment, or even outright violence against citizens are framed as necessary measures for maintaining order and stability..."
I have been making the point for many years that slavery should be viewed in the same way as your point about carnism. Regarding a fellow human as a slave denies that person their right to be treated as a fully autonomous, self-governing creature.
To expand further, the "Rights of Nature" movement is becoming more well-known. The "Gaia Hypothesis" posits the entire Earth as a single living organism. John Muir offered the idea -- paraphrasing -- that everything is connected to everything else. We should accord the utmost respect to all denizens of this planet. Except mosquitoes.
Just read this quote by Marta Zaraska, author of Meathooked: “Recent scientific studies confirm that those of us who hold authoritarian beliefs, who think social hierarchy is important, who seek wealth and power and support human dominance over nature, eat more meat than those who stand against inequality.”