Mereja Forum

[pastlast]

https://www.quora.com/Fascism-Why-do-pe ... -dictators

Fascism: Why do people follow dictators?

ad by Zoho One
World's most comprehensive software suite. Start your free trial.
Bring your apps and teams together with one unified suite of business applications. Free for 30 days.
Sign Up
7 Answers
Hali Aquino
Hali Aquino, I have a graduate degree in psychology and a degree in international politics
Updated Jan 18 2016 · Author has 178 answers and 481.1k answer views
Originally Answered: Why do people follow dictators?

THERE ARE NO DICTATORS WITHOUT FOLLOWERS

Since the dawn of civilization, the world has raised more than a few dictators to lead countries, cults, extremist religions and fiefdoms. Most of us loathe, fear and want to destroy them...and yet they often survive long enough to cause great physical and moral destruction. Tragically, we create and support these monsters in many ways. Can we prevent menacing dictators from ascending to power? Yes- we can. We must study history, fortify ourselves, not give in to fear mongering and hate, and commit ourselves to social and democratic processes we trust. At the very least, we must recognize dictators before they compromise and destroy other people's lives.

THE DICTATORS

They Emerge in a Social and Economic Context

Some of the worst dictators in the world surfaced after catastrophic economic crises, famines or wars. People believed them because they wanted an explanation for the chaos in their time of need. They also wanted a "strong" or "decisive" leader. Mussolini, Hitler, Stalin, Saddam Hussein, Mao Tse Tung, Idi Amin, Osama Bin Laden and countless sadistic dictators in Africa surfaced when their people were vulnerable, needy and unable to see the lies, deception and cruelty for what they were. All these dictators controlled information sources and spread their own propaganda for nefarious purposes.

They Are Charismatic

Dictators are often charismatic and somewhat hypnotic in the way they act and speak. They have a seemingly endless amount of confidence in their own ideas. Typically- dictators don't show their vulnerabilities. They barrel through with their plans and don't look back. They are undaunted by failure and their confidence inspires the people who follow them. They don't often ask people what they think - unless they already know what they want them to say in response. They are narcissists with control problems.

They Write Manifestos

Dictators write manifestos or rule books of some kind - for people to study, learn and follow their thoughts and beliefs. With their manifestos and followers, dictators seek to control the multitudes - beyond their own personal sphere of acquaintances and friends. They speak through recordings, performances and communications to the masses - though they can't meet everyone.

They Teach

Dictators offer fantastic ideas, explanations and plans that promise everything and deliver little if anything at all. They instruct like teachers but they don't want people to think deeply or vote. Their plans are flawed by design. They tell people what to do at home and at work as well as in public. They teach but they don't ultimately want people to learn the truth about the world and them. They want people to keep needing their unique and misleading lessons about themselves, the world and ways of behaving at home, work and in society.

They Appear Sympathetic Toward Their Own Kind

Dictators can read people's personalities and will use this skill to find "good" followers. Dictators care what their followers initially believe, so they can tailor a sympathetic message that will influence their way of thinking. They are also looking for followers who are easily influenced and influential in their communities. They draw similarities between themselves and their new followers to solidify the relationship. Loyalty is everything to them. With loyalty, they are very adept at controlling the thoughts, opinions and actions of those around them. In time, they can even contradict themselves, bully or not fulfill their promises and this won't matter much at all to their loyal followers. Dictators enlist more and more loyal followers who, in turn, promise to teach the dictator's ideas as brethren. These followers want their dictators to succeed - though they would never see them as "dictators".

They Inspire Fear

Dictators paint pictures for people so they can panic while imagining fearful threats from "evil outsiders". Dictators present themselves as saviours. They can seem all-powerful to their followers. They will show their "paternalistic anger" toward real or imagined threats to demonstrate and justify their need for greater power.

Dictators may remind people of their own fears or they may conjure demons from the outside and use heavy force so that people will follow them out of fear - even if they don't like them. Dictators don't care too deeply if people dislike them because they barrel through, reject, strongly oppose and destroy all strong competitors and doubters. Their primary objective is to build respect and grow fear among their followers to increase their power over others. They will ultimately offer salvation to their most "worthy and devoted" followers . Worth and devotion is generally spelled out and can be proven to dictators with "faithful acts".

THE FOLLOWERS

They Are Not Us

Who are the people who believe and become brainwashed by strong leaders who preach false fantastic ideas and solutions? We rarely suspect that we'd be vulnerable to the thoughts and ideas of dictators- however they control the masses with their visionary promises.

They Are Distracted and Busy

Dictators target followers that are typically distracted and are unsure of themselves and what they know. Followers are confounded by their own schedules, life problems and relationships. They feel overwhelmed and in need of direction and assistance. They want an explanation for their unfair circumstances. They want more than anything to find a modern miracle to save them.

They Are Vulnerable

Tough economic times, disasters and sorrow - all make most people very vulnerable. Poorly informed thoughtless or badly educated people- might be more easily influenced by fantastic, subversive and self- serving Ideas propagated by dictators.

Persons who don't otherwise have strong beliefs, feel disempowered, are physically, mentally and economically vulnerable and don't read or have access to good information, or education- they are all much easier to control.

They Want A Hero They Can Believe In

Followers believe confident and passionate people who can tell a good story, offer explanations for problems and provide plans to solve problems. Many people learn from childhood that they can be saved by authorities, magical people and heroes. In our classic fairy tales, myths and religion, we've learned that there are all-knowing beings (seen and unseen) both in and beyond the world who can rise to challenge and defeat all our threats and enemies. They can swoop in - when we need them most - and save us or at least make us better. Followers look for something to believe- even if it's not possible.

They Are Fearful of Others and Prone to Hate

Dictators primarily appeal to people who are fearful and in need of a miracle solution. If a dictator blames certain villains or "evil doers" for the crises in the world- followers are prone to believe them and join groups to fight the "good fight" against evil, as defined by the dictator.

Followers are not happy, genuinely satisfied, educated, well-fed and safe. In fact, these people are more likely to get angry, fortify themselves, fight and demand greater leadership from their dictators to protect themselves. In lieu of other perceived solutions(or lack of choices) they are ready, willing and able to "fight the good fight". The dictator simplifies the choices for them. If they eventually receive some promised rewards, but not all, they will be more likely to deeply believe their dictators' messages.

People who believe in dictators and follow their traps, may eventually realize their mistakes - but by then- they may be permanently stuck in a helpless struggle without money, power, land and like-minded people to fight off destructive forces.
16.5k views · View 27 Upvoters · View Sharers

[Tog Wajale]

The Time To Hide In Mekelle And Adwa Fancy Hotels Are Numbered. Very Soon We The Mighty Ethiopian Amara People & The Mighty Shaebia Of The Horn Of Africa Will Flush You Out. The Preparations Is Well Done. Stay Tuned Qomal Agga*me.

[pastlast]

The Time To Hide In Mekelle And Adwa Fancy Hotels Are Numbered. Very Soon We The Mighty Ethiopian Amara People & The Mighty Shaebia Of The Horn Of Africa Will Flush You Out. The Preparations Is Well Done. Stay Tuned Qomal Agga*me.

Tog Wajale, as a Follower of the Dictator Isayas, I see you have this problem:

"They Are Fearful of Others and Prone to Hate

Dictators primarily appeal to people who are fearful and in need of a miracle solution. If a dictator blames certain villains or "evil doers" for the crises in the world- followers are prone to believe them and join groups to fight the "good fight" against evil, as defined by the dictator."

Why are you fearful of "Qomal Agga'mes"? When Isayas tells you that Eritreans are the enemies will you kill yourself?