Dictator Rise To Power

Although there is near-universal agreement that a tyranny is the least efficient and deadliest form of government (Adler), it is one history's most common forms of government; about 25% of the world’s countries are dictatorships (Frantz). This is recognized by many reasons, the most noticeable being man's lust for power and wealth which are achieved and maintained through many unjust actions. In saying tyranny, I mean any form government where the "leader" uses cruelty to maintain his illegitimately absolute power; throughout the essay this term may be used interchangeably with dictator ship. In this essay I will examine some aspects of how dictators operate in two stages of their rule. The essay will be divided into two parts: a) the dictator's rise and b) maintaining his power. In each part I will give an introduction, then an explanation of the different types of the part; for example a dictator can rise by coup d'état or public support, these are two different types of part a). Along with the explanation of a type, I will include examples of real life dictators of the 20th century as their lives are better documented and are more relevant to the modern world in which we live. …show more content…
There are many ways for a dictator to rise to power. The process through which the dictator achieves power is usually combined with other external circumstances and acts of scheming by the dictator-to-be and his allies. An example for an external circumstance would be instability; it is easier for dictators to attain power in times of hardship and instability (Glad). The most common methods through which dictators come to power can be classified into three general categories which are democracy (having popular support), a coup d'état or "revolution", or succeeding another