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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View full lesson: ed.ted.com/lessons/what-happe...
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Animator's website: aviofer.com
Music: / aim-music
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Thank you so much to our patrons for your support! Without you this video would not be possible! Morgan Williams, Devin Harris, Pavel Zalevskiy, Karen Goepen-Wee, Filip Dabrowski, Barbara Smalley, Megan Douglas, Tim Leistikow, Ka-Hei Law, Hiroshi Uchiyama, Mark Morris, Misaki Sato, EdoKun, SookKwan Loong, Bev Millar, Lex Azevedo, Michael Aquilina, Jason A Saslow, Yansong Li, Cristóbal Moenne, Dawn Jordan, Prasanth Mathialagan, Samuel Doerle, David Rosario, Dominik Kugelmann - they-them, Siamak Hajizadeh, Ryohky Araya, Mayank Kaul, Christophe Dessalles, Heather Slater, Sandra Tersluisen, Zhexi Shan, Bárbara Nazaré, Andrea Feliz, Victor E Karhel, Sydney Evans, Latora, Noel Situ, emily lam, Sid, Niccolò Frassetto, Mana, I'm here because of Knowledge Fight Facebook group., Linda Freedman, Edgardo Cuellar, Jaspar Carmichael-Jack, Michael Burton, VIVIANA A GARCIA BESNE, The Vernons and Olha Bahatiuk.

[@Aezra27]

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

[@capibara2296]

👏🏼🎩

[@skyemiddletonx9006]

Eehhh do you mean "what about when a country who believes they are democratic country install or help a Dictator take power in another country". Because yeah the government of a seemingly democratic country can definitely help a Dictator take power, for example Pol Pot. But there were other factors to that, and no one really knew exactly how he'd turn out at the time. But yeah Ted Ed could have briefly mentioned such.

[@Pmf95k]

Diem?

[@Xada35]

Yeah, people seem quiet when mentioning the amount of coups and subversive actions done by USA.

[@davidtingley9978]

Like Pinochet

[@shivamsolanke4660]

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

[@The_Observer_god]

Because both get wet*

[@c.jishnu378]

Pretty sure he copied that from Sun Tzu.

[@The_Observer_god]

@@c.jishnu378 Sun Tzu lived in era where there where no diapers nor politicians, I think you are being sarcastic but I thought this is necessary.

[@c.jishnu378]

@@The_Observer_god Sorry I didn't notice.

[@c.jishnu378]

@@The_Observer_god I thought I was sarcastic enough in being sorry but you did not reply so just a reminder.

[@Ilumenix]

The art style gives me wings 💀

[@yellowstarproductions6743]

Nice one

[@ShinichiKudoQatnip]

so accurate

[@itsblitz4437]

Red Bull reference

[@CeciliaA1902]

I knew it looked familiar! Thanks for pointing out why!

[@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.

[@Imperator-vo4to]

This is what no one wants to address.

[@jesusojeda7850]

It's easier for the masses to understand their enemy it it has a name- it's way easier to blame a single individual rather to think about the context of the problems inherent to a political system or any kind of conflict.

[@dovh49]

Like the current regime in the US is pretty much a dictatorship. It's so powerful it committed a coup against Trump. It owns the media, social networks and the institutions.

[@clayel1]

tbf, oligarchies are usually led by dictators, since no one dictator can hold all of the keys to power

[@grantzolldan]

​@@Imperator-vo4to Nobody in power wants to address.

[@mylonoceda]

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

[@xxxxxx-lu4ui]

Reminds me of Roald Dahl

[@silurusdominus]

Except that it has some woke bs in it but mainly yes.

[@apple_m2_delight]

​@@silurusdominus can you people stop screaming "woke" on anything you don't like? what's so "woke" about an animation art style anyways 😂

[@silurusdominus]

@@apple_m2_delight Watch it again with open eyes. It is sad that you were fed with so much woke propaganda that you can't even notice not normal things.

[@silurusdominus]

@@apple_m2_delight the problem is with you, because they brainwashed you already so much that you didn't even notice what scene wasn't normal... sad.

[@erikziak1249]

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

[@dannieee333]

what hidden detail

[@krista2216]

Handmaid's Tale was the first one I saw, but I'm not hugely political. It was a delight to watch

[@HulaHula667]

Shirtless Putin

[@pierrecurie]

@@HulaHula667 on a unicorn

[@seren7173]

@@dannieee333 the only one I know is the extremely-long table ,it is Putin's.I heard Putin always fear of his officers one day will murder him.

[@The_Observer_god]

"A good dictator is like having an honest politician which is....... *You know* " - An observer

[@bensoncheung2801]

222 👍

[@neroatlas9121]

Thats called Nayib Bukele buddy. Or 1800s paraguay if you wanna go back a little longer.

[@ricardo-2022]

N O C No one cares

[@applesushi]

If this offends you because it seems too close to a situation you endorse, you’re the problem.

[@shivamsolanke4660]

Honest politician DOES NOT EXIST...! - Anonymous.

[@johnchessant3012]

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.

[@ethereal2620]

"closest" is indeed the correct word. The highest mountain is still very far from the sky. 🤷

[@BeaverChainsaw]

Singapore is not corrupt but it's still crony capitalist. Business and political elite are very intertwined with businesses supporting the People Action Party's dominance over politics. The Economist newspaper estimates that half of billionaires' wealth comes from crony sectors (10% of Singapore's GDP) In comparison, crony sectors makes up less than 2% of GDP in America and less than 1% in Germany For those who don't know: Crony capitalism is an economic system where politically connected people or businesses (cronies) in the private sector benefit from government policies giving them advantages over competition.

[@crazyhawaiidrivers4310]

Singapore will put its leaders on trial though and even convict them. Can't say that for most democracies or any authoritarian regime.

[@QuantumPhysics-my5wb]

India is going to become

[@phelanwolf6747]

@@BeaverChainsawin Germany and the US the crony sectors likely make up a lot more of their GDP then you stated. Alone the car and energy industries in Germany or the oil and arms industries in the US. Those industries practically ruled their respective countries and still partially do.

[@austine1425]

"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.

[@Lonsdaleitehard]

One best ways to know if you are heading into a one party dictatorship, is that the party in power starts trying to imprison their main political rivals 🤸‍♂️

[@Cora.T]

​@@Lonsdaleitehard and banning books, limiting personal expression ( think about drag etc ), bad mouthing news sources etc

[@Lonsdaleitehard]

@Cora.T 🤪 I like muster on sandwiches, but not on my Vanilla ice cream, you stated banning books and then Stated that I’m bad mouthing news sources, both of which are freedom of speech issues that must be allowed to happen to have a functional democracy 🤦‍♂️, by the way what news sources am I bad mouthing ? TED Ed is a history-teaching channel, not a news source and I’m not bad mouthing them, I think English isn’t your first language, anyways have a good day 🏝

[@Cora.T]

@@Lonsdaleitehard no I was adding to your comment about what problematic regimes do... and frankly I think your grasp of English isn't as good as you think it is, if from my comment you come to the conclusion I'm accusing you of doing those things?? Because you're clearly not doing any of the things I said, all my comment is, is a list and the word "and" so as to link our comments. As far as I'm concerned, if you go to the thread and read the comments in succession it makes perfect sense, but so let me know if that's not the case

[@kotulkin]

That loooong table, looks so familiar 😂😂😂

[@MsTimelady71]

And the bare-chested guy on a horse...hmmm. Subtle TED.

[@maxave7448]

@@MsTimelady71I thought i was the only one who noticed that reference lol

[@difficult1003]

​@@maxave7448 It was too much blatant.

[@awantikasingh7877]

do u mind telling me what the reference is?

[@awantikasingh7877]

@@MsTimelady71 i WANT TO BE IN ON THE JOKE SOOOOO BAD, TELL ME WHAT'S IT REFERRING TO???? :(

[@jangzhang7323]

Do you want the Aladeen dictator or the Aladeen dictator?

[@saltdaemon4453]

so many choices...

[@ghostderazgriz]

I'll have the chicken please.

[@ThePrimordialAbyss]

Vote for the Aladeen Dictator

[@lucasthepro0]

@@ThePrimordialAbyss you are HIV Aladeen

[@shivamsolanke4660]

How Aladeen this comment is !

[@ismaelismael8543]

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.

[@dangroom9120]

In the end, every system will fail if man is not righteous/ethical; agreeing to abide the system's rules, while not abusing those whom they don't like by using loopholes found within the rules.

[@yoshihammerbro435]

@@dangroom9120 and you know like caring for other peoples safety over your own

[@edwinhuang9244]

Also it's not like the dictators had complete unchecked power. The Senate was the body with the authority to appoint a dictator, and they also held the power to overthrow a dictator. The Senate was powerful enough to do both of those actions, so ultimately the dictators answered to the Roman Senate. In short, the Roman concept of a dictator is different from the modern concept of a dictator in terms of definition and politically speaking. Of course, there is a caveat that things do vary from across the many years that the Roman Republic was alive, but the point still stands that the dictators had some form of checks and balances for most of its existance.

[@ismaelismael8543]

@@edwinhuang9244 That's true. Dictators where still checked by the Consuls and a clear deadline and could be held accountable once their term came to an end. However, figures like Sulla, Caesar, Mark Anthony and Octavian used the office of dictator to legitimize tyranny in the way we understand it to this day. Whenever accused of being despotic they could hide behind the fact that their title enabled them to take any actions they personally believed would defend the republic, which translated in whatever they wanted. It's kind of an emergency state. Sure, its ment to be called for in certain ocassions and it's not ment to immediately turn the country into an autocracy. However, it can easily be misused to establish an autocracy.

[@shubhnamdeo2865]

@@dangroom9120 I agree. No matter how benevolent democracies and dictatorships are, they'll last as long as they have politicians that have some humanity in them ruling the regime. The biggest enemies of benevolent countries are totalitarianism and oligarchy.

[@Evolution__X]

Ted released this on the time of the Indian Election. So that it doesn't have to make a part 2 of it on Modi ji 😂.

[@YTworld-69]

Well the 4th of June is coming

[@patelabhay550]

​@@YTworld-69yupp India is sliding towards dictatorship

[@IapetusStag]

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.

[@felixgroove4016]

His tyranical rule over Libiya IS the reason of the chaos that came after it. That's how it always is with dictators. The f*ck stuff up over decades and then when they leave the nations they led stay in ruins for another dictator to step in. I think Aleksandr Auzan called this effect "the rut" or "the path dependence problem". Look it up, maybe you can find english translations.

[@ethancoster1324]

Dictators act like glue. If there aren't any strong institutions to take their place then destructive chaos can ensue.

[@spiralingspiral72]

i remember when i was in elementary and we had a flag drawing contest, our teachers actually had to exclude the gaddafi-era libyan flag due to how simple it is, literally just buy green paper and you're done

[@maxandlily6074]

@@spiralingspiral72which one did you do? And what year because if after 1981, Belize?

[@charliefarmer4365]

Did Gaddafi try to choose a successor?

[@jangzhang7323]

I find this video very Aladeen.

[@awesomehpt8938]

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.

[@maxave7448]

To be fair though, im pretty sure Caesar stayed dictator for a tiiiny bit longer despite the term limit

[@TrueDargen]

Cesar feared for his life and refused to relinquish power and instead marched on the senate creating the rule of Augustus. I believe deoclitanus also relinquished his power in 3rd century but Rome knew a long century of strife before that. Today’s dictators are smart and squeeze enough to not to choke the local population and therefore maintain power through fear and contempt

[@nilsp9426]

Also, back then, a lot of bad outcomes were not understood as such by those who documented history (e.g. slavery was seen as something quite normal), and if anyone even reported on their dark side, it is unlikely that this record exists today. Therefore, calling these stories "myths" is quite adequate.

[@T.C.-st8uz]

So true, in theory. In practice though, weren't there certain Roman dictators that just decided they were going to hold on to power and flaunt the rules? I really appreciate your effort to clarify, and some people might not have known what you just wrote, but it seems to be a bit unclear.

[@justindie7543]

Exactly. Rome's dictator system worked incredibly well for centuries without anyone abusing the position.

[@The_Observer_god]

"People are only weak because they think they are" - Gene sharp

[@thegoldengood4725]

“Only strong people are strong because they think they are” - Gene Blunt

[@soyanshumohapatra]

​@@thegoldengood4725😂

[@grapeshott]

​​@@thegoldengood4725Gene Sharpe's one single book was influential in bringing Arab spring in several countries.

[@_sayan_roy_]

@@grapeshott And what did that result in ? Have the living conditions improved in the middle East where those Arab Springs occurred ? Maybe some places but overall on average, one can argue it decreased and in fact, one can argue it decreased tremendously and to this day, the extraordinarily negative effects in multiple aspects are in Syria, Yemen, Libya and even financial wise countries like Lebanon. Talking about power structures in political and military control is one thing and arguably easier and less nuanced than to address cultural ( with emphasis on religious as it's an important or often root part of the cultural value system which is Islam in case of Arabs ) and ideological breakthroughs though incremental progress often aided by technology and science ( both of these have done for humanity arguably more than any other philosophical dialogue, activism, politics, and revolution ). I knew a sub 6 minute Ted-ed video would not be able to provide analysis of the complexities of the situation of the democracy-dictatorship dynamic and try to find a solution for it, but comment section could have been less superficial. This comment is not for you specifically as I may have strawmanned you but to expand the thread on what you just said on something influential for Arab Spring. My personal info context - An atheist from an Indian Hindu Bengali family.

[@jenkar5716]

@@_sayan_roy_ Gene Sharp's book is on Functionality of democratic Governments and how to bring them down. It doesn't talk on welfare of people.

[@djayjp]

5:06 Oh the irony of burning Fahrenheit 451 😂

[@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.

[@NAVEMAN3]

Agreed but I think he meant in the last 20 years. Could be wrong though.

[@user-kp1pz6zv8y]

You are talking about 1 dictator . Out of who many? It doesn’t end well for them

[@MoneyGist]

@NAVEMAN3 Considering the video specially mentions Mussolini, who died almost 80 years ago, I strongly doubt that.

[@MoneyGist]

@user-kp1pz6zv8y Out of how many? You tell me. The video didn't actually state any percentages. They only mentioned a few examples supporting their narrative. And when you say "it doesn't end well," last I checked, the country still exists today, under a democratic government. Any problems they're facing rn isn't due to Obasanjo (if anything, it's the opposite). Not an advocate for dictatorships or monarchies. But it's essential to maintain the integrity of your talking points when debating any topic, whether for or against.

[@bazz6932]

I beg u make you keep quiet and do some more research. Power corrupts the longer you hold it the more it corrupts plus in Nigeria any one that tries to hold on power for too long ends up dead or overthrown . The country is to diverse for one man to rule. Plus I don't like dictator. U can sell your freedom for shortterm economic gains. I won't because eventually the dictator would seek to serve his own interest. Have a nice day

[@dumbhein6042]

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

[@catdogmousecheese]

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

[@benjaminlim3936]

It is with great reluctance that I have agreed to this calling. I love democracy. I love the Republic. - Chancellor Palpatine.

[@shubhnamdeo2865]

"In order to ensure security and continuing stability, the Republic will be re-organized into the First Galactic Empire! For a safe... and secure society!"- Emperor Palpatine

[@daeseongkim93]

Lee Kuan Yew is the closest thing, if not, is the prime example of a modern-day benevolent dictator. Lee has not left widespread destruction in his wake, nor did he cultivate a cult of personality during or after his rule. He relinquished his power and lived a quiet life for the most part after retirement. He was well-loved by most of Singapore's population and was a brilliant economic planner and diplomat during the Cold War. He built Singapore up from a former British maritime port island, a developing nation fraught with ethnic violence into the strongest, first-world trade bastion of Southeast Asia, akin to Switzerland. A strong social welfare system, regional capital for banking services and FDI, with its universities coming in the Top 10 in the Asia region.

[@BuddyReiner]

True, he has a legacy which no democratically elected clown will ever achieve.

[@shubhnamdeo2865]

Few can even dare to rival to his legacy. He was not a politician, he was a human being

[@samongandroid]

@@shubhnamdeo2865 He only had 1-2 million people and everyone working for him for 20-30 years.

[@charlesvane2774]

“Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the others” -Churchill

[@j.140]

yeah, Churchill, the best statesman of all time, except probably for Bangladesh and neighbours

[@BeaverChainsaw]

The best part about this quote is that he said this in his concession speech

[@eg310]

@@j.140and for the british .

[@Trollingthemloudlytnd]

The double meaning means anything else is better than democracy

[@soham141]

Really worrying how the whole world only indicates Narendra Modi. Never says it out loud.

[@abhijeetraut6427]

The whole world? Literally only Indian elite kids who are entitled to whatever whims and fancies and are acting as wannabe foreigners

[@manojsreekantam7277]

India 2024, are you listening ?

[@camelpissdrinkernabimuhamm6611]

Most people in India voting for Modi to make India a Hindu religious theocratic country just like Islamic theocratic Saudi Arabia, Pakistan or iran.. Etc.. Who are accepted by UN and.. If they can make Islamic theocratic country then why not India?

[@sen2003-rbd]

To what? To elect a coalition of parties with no goal for leading thr nation other than deny the current govt 400+ seats?😂

[@sachintitus417]

Do we have a going back? 😮‍💨

[@mrinmoy187]

​@@sen2003-rbdno goal ? Dude Congress has released their menifesto long ago

[@michaelaconstance4954]

Thank you for making a video like this, especially with everything that's happening recently this is very much needed!

[@milanchristi7939]

My, my. How timely.

[@sarahossain1502]

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

[@kevinblatter2369]

I noticed the same thing.

[@davidtaylor142]

I mean Project 2025 IS a perfect modern example

[@YTworld-69]

What's Project 2025

[@MoneyGist]

Methinks the entire video was made to address Project 2025.

[@YTworld-69]

@@MoneyGist what's project 2025 ?

[@MythicTales993]

Well done to the creators for sharing such insightful content!

[@liborrajm2916]

Walking away at the right time might be the ultimate sign of a truly great leader. But then again if someone is already rotten when gaining access to power in the first place, you can bet it can only get worse. The 'yes men' situation is also quite 'funny' to consider cause what the limitless power of the dictator in combination with their zero tolerance for critique essentially does is that they become detached from reality which, if it does not allign with the dictator's fantasy, no one dares report or explain to them. That's comical and terrifying to think about (someone with absolute power making huge decisions based on lies or incomplete picture of the situation)..

[@bernardogortairemorejon6323]

This is a jewel. Congratulations to the producing team

[@lequebecneserajamaisunpays7624]

« Maintaining a free press also helps keep politicians accountable for their actions » yeah if only « free press » could exist maybe it would help.

[@catdogmousecheese]

I think the biggest problem with news media today is that so many media agencies prioritize reporting entertaining stories over factual ones.

[@yoshihammerbro435]

Recent events in the US media have shown this as an issue hahahha

[@Xada35]

Yeah i feel like we can't call current mainstream journalism "free"

[@eg310]

Or if people took actions instead of protesting about a war on other side of continent

[@BeaverChainsaw]

When I become president, I will dismantle any publication that isn't free! People often conflate freedom of press with unbiased, honest, benevolent journalism. That's false. The first newspapers were very partisan until the 1949 fairness doctrine, yellow journalism overexaggerated or fabricated Spanish atrocities to start the Spanish-American War, and the stories published are subject to the whims of the editor-in-chief and the (usually wealthy) owner. What makes the free press great is that the guy who disagrees with the government's narrative can't be thrown into jail and also that journalists have special protection by court system to publish classified documents. The free press isn't perfect but it's not like freedom is perfect either.

[@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?

[@heyhey3185]

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

[@awestruckcardboard3431]

Everybody gangsta until Sulla brings out his list, And creates a Blueprint for Marching on Rome.

[@Homo_-sapien]

Benevolent dictator Mr. Lee Kuan Yew, the founding father of Singapore.

[@ralpjosephjavelosa7451]

well at least he made singapore great compared to the kind of country you're living it right now

[@theholyemu3716]

Singapore has huge human rights issues

[@mainaccount4585]

​​@@theholyemu3716 And your point being? Every country will have its troubles. Using its poor human rights record doesn't negate its significant economic prosperity.

[@rishisharma8311]

3:50 Add Narendra Modi to the list as well

[@sriramadharapurapu2262]

It shd be Indra Gandhi , who did emergency in 1976

[@basantprasadsgarden8365]

​​@@sriramadharapurapu2262 memories of the past as a denial to the present, best argument that can be expected

[@HotCoals]

He's not a dictator! ...yet.

[@DaveGIS123]

The list of dictators was shortened to appeal to an American audience. Americans know something about H@tler, think they know something about Ghaddafi, and easily recognize Putin. Some of them might even understand the references to Trump and his MAGA movement.

[@mrinmoy187]

​@@HotCoals yet......

[@Imperator-vo4to]

How did roman dictatorship work when we have people like Sulla, Ceasar, and August the first roman emperor?

[@Daughterofminerva]

Because at the time of Sulla and Marius the political system of the Roman Republic was deeply polarized between two factions: the populares (led by Marius) and the optimates( led by Sulla). In the end the Repubblic wasn't working anymore,it was wrecked by the fight between these two factions. In the end Sulla won and took total power as dictator for life. At the time of Cesar the political landscape was similar.

[@Pospolite-Ruszenie]

Well said. The Roman system of proclaiming dictators in times of crisis worked for a long time, but as most things it feel apart due to deep divisions.

[@sor3999]

The ultimate granter of the dictatorship was the senate and whenever the dictator failed to resolve the emergency or stepped out of line they were replaced. Dictators were meant as a way to expedite resolving the emergency without the normal bureaucracy.

[@theexiledcactus3735]

Wow! These people are so inspiring, I can't wait to follow in their footsteps. As an aspiring dictator myself its men like these that are a beacon of hope in a world overrun by democracy.

[@sureshmukhi2316]

Which country will you dictate?

[@skyemiddletonx9006]

I do love how well Ted Ed can use historical concepts and events and compare with contemporary and possible very near future issues. The art and the text were not missing anything that may come to pass.

[@michaelreid5615]

I praise, I do not reproach, [nihilism’s] arrival. I believe it is one of the greatest crises, a moment of the deepest self-reflection of humanity. Whether man recovers from it, whether he becomes master of this crisis, is a question of his strength. It is possible. . . -Friedrich Nietzsche This is what our next benevolent leader will emerge from. The ashes of prior moral decay. Whether we live quite long enough to experience it is anyone’s guess. Be sure, the price paid will be hefty, almost unimaginable. Who will lead? And with how hard a fist?

[@alexsbarricades8218]

Thank you Ted Ed! I love today's video

[@alexanderthoms6704]

A couple people have mentioned Lee Kuan Yew on here. He was the closest thing ever to a benevolent dictator. He didn't leave a path of destruction after he left power, which he did so peacefully, and lived out his retirement peacefully. He turned Singapore from an extremely poor country with tons of racial violence, to an economic powerhouse. Even today, many Singaporeans, including myself, have nothing but respect for him, long after he died. He was known to crack down on opposition, yet not for his own power, but because he truly believed they were a threat to Singapore. One man who was detained without charge after being accused of being communist has actually said that he doesn't blame Yew, and that Yew honestly believed he was a threat to Singapore. This man was amazing.

[@Akkikyadav]

Best time chosen to upload this video seeing the situation in India!

[@notfunny3397]

Yeah, it really sucks because despite it being a meme at this point, India really should be a more prosperous nation, they have the resources, they have the population and even the education. Unfortunately they seem intent on fighting literal wars with 14% of their population. I'm not even kidding about the war part. Find info about the Kashmir region. Most of the Muslims in India do in fact identify as Indians, otherwise they would move to Bangladesh or Pakistan or whatever. Yet despite this the government seems intent on alienating them. This is not only a waste of resources, both military and just straight up money, it's also waste of opportunity to not integrate the minorities more into Indian society, which would significantly increase the productivity of the nation.

[@Akkikyadav]

@@notfunny3397 agreed! Are you also indian by the way?

[@notfunny3397]

@@Akkikyadav no but I am South Asian so I know about how diverse the ethnicities are. I know all Indians aren't the same I mean, like some foreigners seem to think I mean. I'm Sri lankan, we had our civil wars and ethnic conflicts, and now that it's finally somewhat over, we are all in a better situation, imo at least

[@mohitanand1844]

@@notfunny3397 we will keep doing it

[@Spirit_of_Indus_Valley]

Bots can comment on KZbin videos but they can't vote in Indian election 😂

[@parasurama1320]

Do you think Nirendra Modi is a dictator?

[@subhasisdas3332]

Yes

[@JakeRed378]

As a Bangladeshi, Modi is not a dictator Modi is elected democratically by mejority He took few authoritarian steps but Indian institution are still stronger than Modi or a party and army is still controlled by indian institution and not by a man or party Economic policy are not fair but still independent Indian Market is manipulated by crony capitalist which have ties with all parties not one So modi is not yet a Dictator And India doesnt have primate cities or primate institution Modi doesnt have those skill to create a primate institution to be a dictator or have foreign support to help him to become a dictator

[@funtube3512]

He is not yet, But every step he takes suggests that he is on the way.. Elections of 2029 will be very different with opposition nearly crushed and media suppressed. I wonder how our indian population will react 🤔

[@JakeRed378]

@@funtube3512 Nah modi doesnt have those skiIIs to be a dictator

[@SK-re7vo]

Mostly Indians don't! He is a really good leader

[@renevalleramos994]

Our top vlogger here in the Philippines, will becoming one of them...

[@varunmishra1994]

Thank you for your research. I find your videos are well done. RIght now I'm keeping an eye on Eledator

[@hardikitaliya1754]

That is India nowadays under Modi's rule.

[@lathakm3366]

We Indians must wake up, else June 04 will be the beginning of the worst that is yet to come!!

[@4RILDIGITAL]

Intriguing explanation about the complex nature of power, whether it's wielded by a dictator or a democratic leader. The roast is deep, highlighting the dire necessity for stable systems of checks and balances to secure the common good against potential abuses.

[@user-jw8ey4fv1l]

I would really appreciate if youmade a riddle video. I have watched all the others and i seek for a new challenge. Thank you and keep up the good work. DAY 1

[@nilsp9426]

I think the fatal flaw in authoritarian thinking is that it equates a lack of accountability and the cumulation of power with the ability to take swift and decisive action. Think of the example of reacting to a pandemic. You might think that a dictatorship can do this easiest by immediately taking a decision that has to go through no checks and can be enacted by any means necessary. However, a well-prepared democracy can act just as swiftly, and much more comprehensively, if there is a good action plan that involves all the necessary authorities and experts. In fact, the cumulation of power can seriously impede the swift response to a threat, as can be easily seen in the example of Donald Trump single-handedly sabotaging the Covid response.

[@rlc212]

You can't be serious about how modern dictators rise to power if you don't take into account the fact that virtually all XX Century Latin American dictatorships (except for Venezuela and Nicaragua) were put in place with support from the USA. The same applies to most Middle Eastern and half of Africa's authoritarian regimes.

[@rovinteyvat4706]

True. It’s becoming clear that there’s some sort of propaganda in these “informative”videos

[@lovewhenshe]

Another amazing vid thanks again

[@kevinkhumalo990]

Bantu Holomisa, a young dictator of the Republic of Transkei, who had overthrew the government of the day and ruled for close to a decade, with positive reforms for his country, gave up power willingly in order for South Africa to be United

[@Otalonrye]

This video is for India

[@shritijdighe5506]

Stop being a whatsapp university graduate

[@IRNoahBody]

maybe ALL government leaders should have term limits?

[@Echo81Rumple83]

and the SCROTUS

[@ThZuao]

I quite like the idea. Every elective office: two therms then never again. The carreer politician is the worst thing democratic countries ever came up with.

[@EdwinWiles]

​@Echo81Rumple83 Judges serve for life precisely to make them immune to short-term thinking by the other branches of government. If you disagree with their rulings, push your legislature to pass laws that make the people's will clearer.

[@mecahhannah]

❤ Awesome as always thanks!

[@dev.2813]

handmaid's reference: 1:44

[@bikramjeetsingh6382]

Hi fellow Indian, Were you thinking about the same personality, as I was, while watching ?

[@awantikasingh7877]

IKR 😞 😼

[@Akkikyadav]

Yes bro 💀😂

[@user-nearby-attention-119]

I can already hear the footsteps of his yes-men who are marching

[@sujal85826]

@@user-nearby-attention-119 Don't worry, they won't be here on this education channel untill provoked💀

[@Spirit_of_Indus_Valley]

Prove me, Pappu is better than Dictator 😂

[@Thecutecyanbird]

This is so perfect! 😊

[@user-bp4nv3qp4d]

Astonishing animation 🤍💛

[@matthewona]

What do you think of Lee Kuan Yew (Singapore), Park Chung Hee (South Korea), and Chang Kai Shek (Taiwan), considered dictators by western standards who repressed freedom in subservience to the state to achieve the seed of prosperity and stability that these countries currently enjoy (compared to others)?

[@daeseongkim93]

Lee Kuan Yew was the better dictator compared to the latter two. Park and Chiang were brutal, executing thousands of opponents - communist sympathizers and random non-aligned civilians alike. Lee was dictator lite and generally only imprisoned detractors.

[@brandonedwards6119]

Most of those countries only flourished due to outside assistance though? Those countries would be equivalent to non-oil middle eastern countries without western meddling.

[@benitoharrycollmann132]

If anyone is interested in gaining some insight into the capacity for true terror that can be imposed by a tyrannical regime, The Gulag Archipelago by Alexander Solzhenitsyn is a must read. It's Orwellian fiction brought to life

[@dovh49]

Notice they didn't say much about left-wing dictatorships. Apparently left-wing dictatorships don't exist.

[@mrtienphysics666]

"Between being loved and being feared, I have always believed Machiavelli was right. If nobody is afraid of me, I'm meaningless" Lee Kuan Yew

[@juliadavidking23]

The word dictator itself is anything but benevolent.

[@cru3her608]

if a position gives an individual too much power, then someone will surely come and abuse that power. therefore such a position should not exist.

[@august6281]

By having FANATICS like DDS.

[@PineappleOnPizza69]

NPA spotted

[@andieallison6792]

Love how this is styled like a New Yorker cartoon.

[@jamessandoval5843]

Also like a Red Bull commerical!

[@akshayagarwal3423]

With animation like this, I’ll watch anything!

[@vedj6515]

suprised no one noticed the putin reference 💀💀 4:03

[@opwave79]

Sadly, extremism is in vogue. People see compromise as weakness and partisanship as strength. So a dictatorship is inevitable.

[@jamessandoval5843]

That's what they want you to believe. You must not let your cynical feelings drive you into the dark. Nothing is inevitable unless we don't act.

[@ContentEnjoyer-gm3ky]

Compromise on things that were NOT meant to be compromised with, may be weakness, but that doesn’t make one a dictator.

[@xaviere.3299]

Ton Rosendaal is a perfect example of benevolent dictator. He calls himself that way. We all agree with him staying as the main Leader (and he's the founder) of the Blender Foundation. 1/3 of the 3D animation you see nowadays is made with it. Blender is basically the execution of his rules on how to do it properly. He has done a magnificent work and service to everyone else.

[@Demetrius900000]

Nice touch with a long table.

[@SudhaKiranGsk]

I feel like this is targeted at Modi Who is currently on his big for 3rd term RN

[@kraneiathedancingdryad6333]

Absolute power corrupts absolutely.

[@thereisa]

It’s like a playbook I’ve seen before

[@pintumunda4351]

You definitely have my sub. This content is next level. For me Eledator was the turning point. Please keep doing what you do and keep being you, love it.

[@jsb7761]

What about The Dollar Dictatorship??

[@somnolentea]

Comrade!

[@TusharAmdoskar]

Timing of this video 💀 🇮🇳(2024 general election today is 16th may 2024)

[@swadiqueali6696]

Largest democracy smells these conditions

[@nilslukacs1478]

The subtle hint of the oversized table...

[@yankun1484]

OMG plez, We need to Save India from Modi.

[@GudasWorld]

FBI, DEA & cops are who y'all need to worry about. With out them, fascists are noting.

[@NoName-hg6cc]

Except the worst violence it is not done by the police and most violent people come from the left and

[@epithalamia]

very good video!

[@iddiadamasalahedine3258]

Cameroon since 1982💔

[@worthit5064]

So accurate about the Indian system.

[@andreaskroknes4407]

I was pretty early, but I do not need to state that I was FIRST; as I am so impressed by the animation and narration.

[@Xloi63]

Form over content, the essence of bourgeois Liberal political ideology.

[@andreaskroknes4407]

@@Xloi63 Let me have my superstructure and eat it too.

[@michaelowino228]

Good video.

[@dayanaparedes7362]

So well explained 🎉

[@rohanrajput_9]

Video: lets have a discussion about dictators, it will be interesting Comments: modi, trump, biden ...

[@victoriaman117]

“Lobbiest have entered the chat”

[@seventyfivemm]

who up taking notes

[@Maya-ul1rr]

I love 3:03 where they say "Italy" and show a boot that looks like Italy.

[@AdeshBenipal]

I like how this came during India's Elections

[@irrelevantcheese8623]

Did you know 2024 will have the most elections in human history?

[@prasoonjha1816]

@@irrelevantcheese8623 India's elections are in progress at the moment. Also the Modi government has been accused of trying to dismantle democracy by curbing the freedom of media, putting opposition leaders in jail without conviction, trying to win a city mayor elections through fraud which was caught on camera and so on.

[@dnd-yd2uu]

@@prasoonjha1816 so are you expecting ""saving democracy "" by people who run dynastic rule in their own party who have been proved of dismantling democracy since the independence and when their party was formed, through all the scandals they did, or by communists???, At this point of time no party is any good in India, But elections are not about who you like the most, it's about who you hate the least.

[@avinks7137]

Exactly at this point people wish to give there vote to dictators​@@dnd-yd2uu

[@avinks7137]

Did we already see the point in 2:14 . Happen in India during international visits.

[@user-eq2dx2jp6v]

Thank youuuuuu ❤❤❤

[@cuberpunk3209]

Thanks for the tutorial

[@kingdavis890]

Sorry your not him bro

[@NoLimitsKing]

There's more power in pulling the string from behind the current I.E. Blackrock and vanguard

[@incredulous-]

Hey guys I time travelled Cuz i can see narendra's modi's future