Critique of in-group values is resented as narcissistic loss

Evidence

The narcissistic gain provided by fascist propaganda is obvious. It suggests continuously and sometimes in rather devious ways, that the follower, simply through belonging to the in-group, is better, higher and purer than those who are excluded. At the same time, any kind of critique or self-awareness is resented as a narcissistic loss and elicits rage. It accounts for the violent reaction of all fascists against what they deem zersetzend, that which debunks their own stubbornly maintained values, and it also explains the hostility of prejudiced persons against any kind of introspection. — Theodor W. Adorno, The Culture Industry, 198

Categorization

• XREF: This mechanism — self-critique framed as narcissistic injury — is highly portable to analyzing modern online outrage culture and defensive fan communities. — connects to: Glorification means national in-group superiority and deference to its symbols and rules. — Sonia Roccas and Yechiel Klar and Ido Liviatan, The Paradox of Group-Based Guilt: Modes…, 35; Narcissistic self-regard may be projected onto groups as competitive victimhood. — Nurit Shnabel and Johannes Ullrich, Identity Needs in Intergroup Relations:…, 150