💡 "Under certain conditions, the idea of a dictator can sound appealing — like when a democracy isn't functioning as it should." — Stephanie Honchell Smith, TED-Ed (2021)
Discuss in pairs before reading.
- The Spanish CIS regularly finds that a small but stable minority of citizens would support "a strong leader who doesn't have to bother with parliament or elections." Why do you think this view persists, even in countries with no recent experience of dictatorship?
- If a leader took absolute power for one year and used it to solve five real problems — corruption, housing, healthcare, climate, security — would that be a price worth paying?
- What is the difference, if any, between an "authoritarian leader" and a "dictator"?
- The Roman general Cincinnatus was given absolute power, used it to defeat an invader, and then voluntarily handed it back after 16 days. Has any modern leader done anything similar? Why might that be?
- Some people argue that "benevolent dictatorship" is a myth — that absolute power, given to anyone, will eventually be abused. Others point to leaders like Singapore's Lee Kuan Yew as counter-examples. Where do you stand?
- If you discovered tomorrow that the next election in your country had been cancelled "temporarily, for the good of the nation," what would you do?
Crowd at a political rally holding signs
Empty presidential podium with microphones and flags
Hand casting a vote into a ballot box
Match the definitions in Column A to the words in Column B. All eight words appear in the article you're about to read.
| Column A — Definition | Column B — Word |
|---|---|
| 1. To take apart, especially institutions or systems | A. authoritarian |
| 2. To voluntarily give up power, control, or possession | B. benevolent |
| 3. Acting for the good of others; well-intentioned | C. a coup |
| 4. People who agree with a superior regardless of merit, to keep favour | D. to dismantle |
| 5. Biased information distributed to promote a political cause | E. dissent |
| 6. Favouring or enforcing strict obedience to authority at the expense of personal freedom | F. propaganda |
| 7. A sudden, often violent seizure of government power | G. to relinquish |
| 8. Disagreement with official policy or opinion | H. yes-men |
