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How have strongmen used promises of national greatness to maintain power?
National greatness has always been one of the main concerns of authoritarian rulers, not only because of their narcissistic belief that they will be the ones to bring that greatness about, but also because their promise of greatness can be what draws supporters to them in the first place. Hitler’s initial supporters were drawn to him by his promises to free Germany from humiliation and destruction at the hands of Jews, Marxists, foreign powers, and any other perceived enemies. In the modern day, Trump has made this strongman tactic into his slogan, “Make America Great Again” (MAGA), promising discontented right-wing voters a return to traditional American values.
How have strongmen used propaganda to maintain power?
Propaganda has many uses in the strongman’s playbook, from justifying his extreme measures to concealing his atrocities. Strongmen come to power in times of crisis, and enough propaganda can help justify their massive overstep in power if it can be transformed into a patriotic act, done for the good of the country and to protect national security. Propaganda can also help create misinformation and confusion, allowing strongmen to avoid accountability. Berlusconi, already the owner of the majority of Italy’s newspaper and television companies, was able to effectively use propaganda to turn the people against the judiciary prosecuting him for financial crimes.
How have strongmen used virility to maintain power?
Virility is a quality associated with the traditional, patriarchal societies strongmen typically seek to build, and is thus a powerful cultural force when used hand in hand with propaganda. Mussolini and Putin are two rulers renowned for their willingness to show off their bodies, and thus their virile masculinity, to portray themselves as strong, trustworthy leaders. They promote this sentiment among the public as well, encouraging men toward the traditional roles of breadwinners and heads of the household, while returning women to the role of homemaker. This, in turn, is often connected to the strongman’s desire for racial and cultural purity, with many, including Mussolini and Putin, encouraging the “right” kinds of people to reproduce, lest they be replaced by encroaching immigrants and other minorities labeled as the enemy.
How have strongmen used corruption to maintain power?
Corruption is the financial tool by which strongmen are able to expand their regime, both in promising their political allies and their citizenry to sanction their actions in exchange for political and financial gain. Administrators in authoritarian administrations have access to national funds and rewards from the leader as well as legal leeway to seize assets and businesses from enemies, enriching themselves in the process. Citizens who support the strongman are promised ample reward as well if they turn their eye away from the violence of the regime, such as white Germans who benefited financially from the imprisonment of Jews in Hitler’s Germany. Pinochet, much like many strongmen, bestowed financial favors on loyal government officials, and Gaddafi was able to use Libya’s vast oil wealth to secure the support of both domestic and foreign allies, despite his regime’s violence.
How have strongmen used violence to maintain power?
Violence is perhaps one of the most well-known signs of an authoritarian regime, and for good reason. Violence can be used by strongmen to punish dissenters, cow any further opposition into silence, and “cleanse” their population of political enemies and other undesirable populations. Hitler’s concentration camps, imprisoning and killing more than six million Jews, gay men, prostitutes, criminals, and political dissenters, are one of the most famous examples of the strongman’s use of violence. Hitler was inspired by Mussolini, who, instead of using mainland concentration camps, imprisoned and tortured his enemies on Italy’s many islands.
