Strongmen Checklist

A strongman is a political leader who exerts control by force - often violent and illegal.

Says the world is hostile

Promotes conspiracy theories

Labels current system as corrupt.

Scapegoats

• Opponents
• Education/educated
• News agencies/reporters

Lies

Hyper sensitive to criticism

Encourages a leader cult

Urges supporters to use violence against opponents

Uses tools of the state to hamper dissent.

Decisions are based on personality and ego rather than policies

Labels opponents as enemies of the state

Shows up during bad economic times

Shows up after a national humiliation

Demand additional, often previously illegal, powers to deal with enemies.

Nepotism

Censorship

Internal politics spill out on international stage

Examples

• Napoleon
• Oliver Cromwell
• Shaka Zulu
• Louis XIV

Find a modern example