> trust in authority, a desire to act in the same way as our friends, or a tendency to act in a consistent way

Sounds like how most people get suckered by politicians, over and over again.

The problem is their (and others) attitude that

> ...the authority principle, for example, is actually very helpful for surviving peacefully in human society

Is it really? But isn't unquestioning obedience to authority the key ingredient to war, corruption and genocide? Maybe trust in authority is necessary in children but adults need to accept the responsibility to think for themselves.