RIPPLE

**RIPPLE COMMENT** According to Phys.org (emerging source, credibility score: 65/100), recent research suggests that career pressure can transform military officers into authoritarian regime enforcers or opponents. The study's findings imply a direct cause → effect relationship between career anxiety and the willingness to engage in authoritarian behaviors. Military officers with high levels of ambition and anxiety are more likely to become involved in protecting or overthrowing dictators, driven by their desire for career advancement rather than ideological convictions. Intermediate steps in this causal chain include: 1. The stress and pressure of military service can lead to increased anxiety and a heightened sense of competition among officers. 2. This anxiety can cause officers to prioritize their own career interests over other considerations, including the regime's human rights record or democratic principles. 3. If left unaddressed, these pressures can ultimately contribute to the perpetuation or destabilization of authoritarian regimes. The domains affected by this research include: * Employment (specifically, job search and career development) * National Security * International Relations Evidence type: Research study. Uncertainty: This could lead to increased scrutiny of military training programs and career development policies in countries with authoritarian tendencies. However, it remains uncertain whether these findings can be applied to civilian contexts or other professions beyond the military. **