How to be a dictator : the cult of personality in the twentieth century

Resource Information

The work How to be a dictator : the cult of personality in the twentieth century represents a distinct intellectual or artistic creation found in London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham Libraries. This resource is a combination of several types including: Work, Language Material, Books.

Label

How to be a dictator : the cult of personality in the twentieth century

Title remainder

the cult of personality in the twentieth century

Statement of responsibility

Frank Dikötter

Creator

• Dikötter, Frank

Subject

• Dictators -- History -- 20th century
• Dictatorship -- History -- 20th century
• Politics and Government

Language

eng

Summary

Mussolini, Hitler, Stalin, Mao Zedong, Kim Il-sung, Ceausescu, Mengistu of Ethiopia and Duvalier of Haiti. No dictator can rule through fear and violence alone. Naked power can be grabbed and held temporarily, but it never suffices in the long term. A tyrant who can compel his own people to acclaim him will last longer. The paradox of the modern dictator is that he must create the illusion of popular support. Throughout the twentieth century, hundreds of millions of people were condemned to enthusiasm, obliged to hail their leaders even as they were herded down the road to serfdom. Frank Dikötter returns to eight of the most chillingly effective personality cults of the twentieth century

Cataloging source

StDuBDS

Dewey number

• 321.9'09'04
• 321.9'09'04
• 321.90904

Index

no index present

Intended audience

Specialized

Literary form

non fiction

Target audience

specialized