Groupthink and the rise of the thug

"The term “groupthink,” defined by psychologist Irving Janis in 1972, refers to how cohesive groups of people make and justify faulty decisions. People affected by groupthink usually feel pressured to conform to the views expressed by an influential group leader. They hesitate to voice concerns for fear of being shamed or ostracized, and, in the absence of dissent, they assume all other group members approve of the decisions being made. Alternatives to the group’s actions are either dismissed or never considered at all. Outsiders who raise objections are often regarded as enemies and dehumanized.
Groupthinking most often arises in homogeneous, insulated groups that possess no clear guidelines for decision making."
Janis’s research uncovered eight symptoms that indicate groupthinking:

1. Illusion of Invulnerability – The group believes failure is impossible.
2. Collective Rationalization – Group members invent reasons to ignore warnings and refuse to objectively evaluate their stance on an issue.
3. Inherent Morality – The group assumes all its actions are ethical and beneficial.
4. Stereotyping – The group creates negative views of opposing groups to avoid rationally addressing objections to its activities.
5. Direct Pressure to Conform – Members are discouraged from dissenting.
6. Self-Censorship – Members willingly refrain from expressing doubts or objections.
7. Illusion of Unanimity – Because dissent is never voiced, members assume everyone in the group agrees with the decisions made.
8. Mind Guards – Some members voluntarily act to shield the group from dissent or criticism.

 Cllr Wells told "Kent on Sunday" I think what's happening is we're seeing inexperienced councillors coming under serious pressure from a very nasty campaign group and being really frightened.

 Well Chris you are stating the obvious here and its been happening since the campaign stalled back in September 2014 when negotiations with Riveroak stalled.

 Accusations of bribery and corruption abound. Attempts to force people to resign are seen as the way forward. If we cannot get the councillors to toe the line then attack member of staff with email campaigns intended to frighten them away. see below

Lets look at what really happened. Manston was run by various firms including Wiggins and Infertil over many years and all failed to make a profit no matter whether it were passenger or freight services. Their losses were considerable however that is ignored.
In 2012 Infertil put the airport up for sale and asked Price Waterhouse Cooper to market it. In 22 months no one came forward, that's NO ONE, NIL, NOTHING. Why did NO ONE in the aviation industry come forward. another fact ignored by the pro campaign.

In November 2014 when the negotiations had stalled under Labour KCC's leader Paul Carter made a statement at County Hall. The Pro Campaigners have made it their life's work to vilify the man when all he has done is point out the obvious. Now the same vitriol has be aimed at Chris Wells leader of UKIP at Thanet Council. Putting aside the politics and looking at why the whole process has ground to a halt the common denominator seems to be the reluctance of Riveroak to disclose their financial affairs and provide TDC with the information they need exactly the situation Iris Johnson found themselves in 2014.

David Green (in Iris Johnson's cabinet)

14 October at 18:35

Way back in pre history, when I was involved in the Manston issue, I asked Riveroak 3 questions to determine whether I could support them as a indemnity partner.
1. If we (TDC) signed up, would they disclose the source of their funding.
2. Would they allow TDC to withdraw from the CPO process at any point without penalty to TDC
3 Would they accept a covenant on the land when TDC handed it to them that restricted its use to aviation related use only.
Their answer to each was NO!
I guess Chris Wells has reached a similar position.

So what do the pro supporter's do?
3. Inherent Morality – The group assumes all its actions are ethical and beneficial.
Anything against the groupthink has to be destroyed and of course anything goes including memes like this

Outsiders who raise objections are often regarded as enemies and dehumanized
 
4. Stereotyping – The group creates negative views of opposing groups to avoid rationally addressing objections to its activities.

So all groups or individuals who state the bleeding obvious like it's all over are attacked and vilified and of course anything they post is treated just like the Word of God.

So as this campaign nears its end where do the supporters go after its all over? Some will pledge their loyalty to the dying end, however as in most campaigns the vast majority will simply get on with their lives with the thought they have done their best but they were beaten by the monied classes. None of them will admit the truth that the bullies didn't succeed and the rest allowed them to get away with the bullying because they hadn't the courage to tell them to stop bullying.