What happened when these 6 dictators took over? - Stephanie Honchell Smith

Examine the myth of the benevolent dictator, which is a leader who holds absolute power yet only uses it for the common good.

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Under certain conditions, the idea of a dictator can sound appealing, like when a democracy isn’t functioning as it should due to corruption or political polarization. People may believe the solution is a "benevolent dictator"— a leader who only uses their absolute power for the common good. But can such a leader actually exist in today’s world? Stephanie Honchell Smith examines this common myth.

Lesson by Stephanie Honchell Smith, directed by Avi Ofer.

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[Aezra]

What about when a democracy installs a dictator in another country?

[shivamsolanke]

*_Politicians and diapers must be changed often and for same reason._*

~ Mark Twain.

[mylonoceda]

Praise the artists who animated this video. This style is hilarious and entertaining.

[johnchessant]

Singapore is the closest modern example to a benevolent dictatorship: continuous one-party rule since independence in 1965 that is viewed favorably by most of the population. It administers good social services and public safety, and has little corruption. However, civil liberties are severely limited. Political opponents were detained for decades without trial, homosexuality was criminalized until recently, and the government heavily censors news media as well as art and curtails the right of assembly and association.

[erikziak]

The amount of hidden detail that was put in the video by the animator is excellent.

[TheGreyPeregrine]

I fear that the issue of oligarchy is far more concerning. You may topple an individual but it's near impossible to dismantle an entire political elite unless extreme measures are taken, and even then it's not a guarantee.

[austine]

"Once in office such leaders graduate dismantle checks on their power. Including removing judges, who might rule against them, abolishing term limits, or refusing to acknowledge unfavorable election results" this sounds familiar somehow living here in the US.

[The_Observer_god]

"A good dictator is like having an honest politician which *You know* "

- An observer

[ismaelismael]

Something people who praise Rome's dictator system seem to ignore is how it clearly failed eventually. Sulla used his influence over the military to proclaim himself dictator for life and purge political oponents, Caesar was made dictator for ten years upon defeating his rival Pompey in Greece and quickly accumulated enough power to be made dictator for life as well. Caesar's nephew and adopted son Octavian, along with Mark Anthony and Lepidus, two of Caesar's liutenants, seazed dictatorial powers during their regime, which culminated in Octavian ousting the two of them and creating the political dynasty that became the Roman Empire.

[kotulkin]

That loooong table, looks so familiar 😂😂😂

[jangzhang]

Do you want the Aladeen dictator or the Aladeen dictator?

[heyhey]

We know who this video is about, and how devastating a second term of his poison would be.

[sarahossain]

Why do I feel like that ending part was trying to make a point about Project 2025 😭

[dumbhein]

Watching from Myanmar here! Who else is living under a corrupt and unjust goverment??

[awesomehpt]

There’s a big difference between dictators in the Roman republic and modern dictators.

There were actual legal limits as to how long these dictators could hold power. They had to be appointed by a sitting consul and the senate and they were limited by law to only have their power for a maximum of 6 months, afterwards they had to give up their power. Just like in any other position of power that a Roman could hold.

Modern Non-monarchical dictatorships are a different and have only lasted about a century. No limits dictated by law whatsoever. And are mostly gained and maintained by force.

[Melohalo]

What about when you country hides under a veneer of "democracy" but all the power are in the hands of corporate-backed legislators and policy-makers?

[YeenMage]

2:40 - You used the wrong Libyan flag. Under Gaddafi, they used the all-green flag.

Also, to be fair to Gaddafi, his death resulted to a power vacuum that turned Libya into another Yugoslavia. Shouldn't deny that.

[MoneyGist]

4:55 "No modern dictator has lived up to this ideal."

You're wrong, Ted.

Olusegun Obasanjo was a Nigerian general who rose to power through a military coup in 1975 and voluntarily handed over to a civilian government 4 years later.

[djayjp]

5:06 Oh the irony of burning Fahrenheit 451 😂

[catdogmousecheese]

4:03
It's funny how that picture of Putin riding a horse shirtless has just haunted him for years now.