Autocrats: Charisma, Power, and Their Lives
Written by Rajiv Dogra
Genre: Politics
Published by: Rupa Publications
Pages: 343
MRP: Rs. 795/-
Thank you, Rupa Publications, for a review copy of the book.
Rajiv Dogra’s “Autocrats: Charisma, Power, and Their Lives” presents an in-depth exploration of the psychological, social, and historical facets of autocratic leadership. The book dissects the complex dynamics that have allowed powerful figures to seize and retain absolute power, often at the expense of democratic values and personal freedoms. In “Autocrats”, Dogra provides both a narrative history and psychological analysis, explaining the reasons behind the emergence of dictatorships and the societal conditions that foster their rise. He also provides a sobering reflection on the fragile state of democracy, which is perpetually vulnerable to the threat of authoritarianism
“The Nature of Autocracy and the Cult of Personality”
Dogra opens his book by questioning why people often choose cruel leaders as their icons, reinforcing the idea that the public frequently places power in the hands of figures who do not act in their best interests. Dogra describes autocratic regimes as dichotomous systems of winners and losers, where dictators care little for the public good and more about securing power and enforcing submission. He stresses that these authoritarian leaders rely primarily on fear to maintain their grip on power, often through physical and psychological control, as exemplified by the Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceausescu. Through the personal account of Ion Caramitru, Dogra illustrates the traumatic experience of living under dictatorial regimes, where even after the dictator’s fall, the haunting fear persists in the population.
In addition to fear, Dogra emphasizes the significance of the “cult of personality” in the formation of autocratic rule. These leaders are adept at crafting public personas that evoke loyalty and admiration from their subjects. Dogra uses examples like Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini, and even more contemporary figures like Vladimir Putin and Imran Khan to illustrate how charismatic communication, simple messaging, and nationalism serve as powerful tools to establish and maintain control. This cult of personality is pervasive and essential for any autocrat’s success, allowing them to sway public sentiment and suppress opposition. Even Imran Khan, who was eventually removed from power by Pakistan’s military, relied heavily on this approach during his brief reign.
“Psychological and Societal Underpinnings of Dictators”
Dogra delves deeply into the psychological roots of dictators’ behavior, arguing that the personal histories and childhood experiences of leaders like Hitler, Stalin, and Idi Amin play a significant role in shaping their despotic tendencies. These early experiences often include violence, neglect, and humiliation, which, in many cases, lead to a lifelong thirst for power and control. Hitler, for instance, grew up in an abusive household and witnessed the death of his younger brother at a young age. Similarly, Stalin endured the brutality of an alcoholic father and was forced into a life of survival and rebellion from an early age. Dogra effectively demonstrates how these traumatic early experiences contribute to a leader’s need to dominate others, and how this psychological need for power manifests in their rule.
Furthermore, Dogra connects the psychology of these leaders with the societal conditions that enable their rise. He argues that societies that fall prey to autocratic rule often suffer from collective trauma, such as economic insecurity, social instability, or political chaos. These conditions mirror the personal insecurities of the dictator and create a dangerous feedback loop where both the ruler and the ruled become trapped in a cycle of fear and oppression. This is most evident in nations like North Korea, where the leadership of Kim Jong-Un continues to maintain absolute control over a population subjected to constant fear and state-sponsored repression.
“Erosion of Democratic Institutions: Methods of Control”
A major focus of “Autocrats” is on the methods through which these leaders consolidate and maintain their power. Dogra explains that fear is the primary tool of control, but it is reinforced through surveillance, propaganda, and the suppression of dissent. In modern examples like China, the use of technology for mass surveillance and control has become a critical part of the authoritarian playbook. Dogra cites China’s treatment of the Uighur population, where modern technologies like facial recognition and artificial intelligence are used to suppress the Muslim minority, ensuring totalitarian control.
While modern-day autocrats such as Xi Jinping or Vladimir Putin wield the tools of technology, Dogra stresses that these tactics are not new. He compares them to the methods used by historical figures such as Mao Zedong, Stalin, and Mussolini, who relied on secret police, propaganda machines, and violent repression to maintain their grip on power. The erosion of democratic institutions is a gradual process, according to Dogra, where leaders manipulate elections, imprison or silence opposition, and undermine judicial independence. Yet, even in democracies, autocratic tendencies can emerge, as Dogra highlights through the case of Pakistan’s Imran Khan, who used nationalist rhetoric to deflect opposition and push his political agenda.
“Narendra Modi: Strong Leadership vs. Autocracy?”
Even though Narendra Modi is not mentioned once, in the book,while reading the book, you can’t help but make comparisons to how the media portrays leaders like Narendra Modi as a dictator and autocrat. However, Dogra makes a clear distinction between authoritarianism and strong leadership, indirectly arguing calling Modi a dictator oversimplifies the complexity of his leadership.
Modi has been thrice elected through free and fair elections, securing a substantial mandate from the Indian electorate. This democratic legitimacy contrasts sharply with how authoritarian rulers typically seize power through force or manipulate the electoral process to secure their reign. Furthermore, India’s political landscape remains competitive, with multiple parties, a free press, and a functioning judiciary that serve as checks on Modi’s power. These democratic features stand in contrast to regimes where leaders actively undermine opposition, shut down the press, or control the judiciary entirely.
While Modi’s governance style is certainly assertive, particularly with policies like the 2016 demonetization, the revocation of Article 370, and the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), these policies were all passed through India’s parliamentary process. Though controversial, they were implemented within the legal framework of India’s constitution, further distinguishing Modi’s actions from those of true autocrats.
Furthermore, while concerns have been raised about press freedom and civil liberties in India, these criticisms need to be viewed within the broader context of Indian democracy, which remains intact and functional. Modi’s government has faced protests and dissent, such as the farmers' protests and protests against the CAA, both of which received significant national and international attention. In an authoritarian regime, such large-scale public dissent would likely be crushed. Therefore, while Modi’s leadership style may reflect certain autocratic tendencies, his actions remain largely within the democratic framework.
“Resistance and the Triumph Over Fear”
Despite the bleak portrayal of life under dictatorships, Dogra offers a glimmer of hope by examining how resistance movements can triumph over authoritarian rule. Figures like Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi, and others stand as reminders that courage and moral leadership can overturn even the most oppressive regimes. Yet, as Dogra acknowledges, such resistance is rare because overcoming fear is one of the most challenging tasks for any individual or society.
Mandela’s insight that “courage is not the absence of fear but the triumph over it” resonates throughout “Autocrats”, as Dogra examines how resistance movements are born out of the willingness of individuals to defy oppression despite the odds. This is exemplified by Dogra’s recounting of various revolutionary movements, such as the Romanian revolution that ended Ceausescu’s rule and the broader anti-colonial struggles that brought an end to imperialism in the 20th century. However, Dogra is quick to note that such courage is far from common, and most people, when faced with the brutal machinery of an authoritarian state, find it easier to submit.
“Global Trends: The Democratic Recession”
One of the most significant contributions of “Autocrats” is its exploration of the global rise of authoritarianism in the 21st century. Dogra draws attention to the 2021 Freedom House report that notes the “long democratic recession” and growing authoritarian tendencies worldwide. Countries like Russia, Turkey, and Poland have seen democratic backsliding as their leaders consolidate power, crack down on civil liberties, and stifle political opposition. Dogra argues that the resurgence of autocratic governance reflects a global trend where people, frustrated by economic inequalities and political inefficacies, turn to strongmen who promise security and stability.
Dogra also addresses the rise of populism and authoritarianism in established democracies, citing examples in Europe and the United States. While the systems of checks and balances in these countries have so far proven resilient, Dogra suggests that the growing centralization of power and the undermining of democratic norms signal a worrying trend. His assessment is that the world is at a critical juncture, where the battle between democracy and autocracy is far from settled.
“Conclusion: Strongmen, Democracy, and the Future”
Autocrats: Charisma, Power, and Their Lives by Rajiv Dogra is a thoroughly researched and thought-provoking exploration of the nature of authoritarianism. The book successfully unpacks the psychological, historical, and social elements that allow dictators to rise and maintain power. Through rich historical examples and a keen analysis of contemporary politics, Dogra paints a comprehensive picture of the autocrat’s playbook, demonstrating that the tactics of fear, control, and charisma remain as potent today as they have throughout history.
Dogra’s writing is incisive, engaging, and at times deeply unsettling. His ability to draw parallels between historical autocracies and modern political trends offers valuable insights for anyone interested in the current state of global politics. At the heart of the book is a sobering reflection on the fragility of democracy and the ever-present threat of authoritarianism. In an era where democratic backsliding is a growing concern, Autocrats serves as both a warning and a call to action.
Ultimately, Dogra’s work underscores that the struggle between freedom and tyranny is as old as civilization itself, and while the autocrat’s rule may seem unassailable, history has shown that resistance, when sustained, can triumph over even the most oppressive regimes.
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