Analyse the most common methods and conditions which lead to the rise of dictators – Elen East

Throughout the years the world has seen many dictators rise to the top putting their nations under
suppressive regimes. The fundamental condition in which they become leader is most likely to
provoke the collapse of democracy is when the government is to be seen to be 1“Polarise, Paralysed,
and Pulverised”. I will not only cover the conditions which allowed them to become dictators but
their methods too.

The core condition for the rise of the dictators is economic instability. Hitler rose in the midst of the
great depression, a sudden economic collapse which cause inflation and extreme poverty. This
supported Marx’s theory that economic deprivation could led to a revolution. In Cuba, they were
struggling with economic inequality, which angered the poor and made the rich anxious. Barista’s
Cuba was named America’s Playground due to the large amount of Mafia controlled casinos and the
poverty-stricken natives. While in Spain, industries were nationalised, creating havoc with the
bourgeoisie and the polarised government. This angered the nationalists and created a deeper
divide between the republicans who were undecided whether to collectivise or not.

Due to the nation’s economic fragility, this paved a way for international interference. Cuba was
perceived to be exploited by the Americans under Barista, and by the late 1950s, the U.S.’s financial
interests consisted of 90% of Cuban mines and 80% Cuban public utilities. The Spanish were also
scared of becoming a communist satellite state for the USSR. Both nation’s population increasingly
began to suspect their then leaders and whether they could protect them from foreign exploitation.

The international meddling created a political polarisation. Spain was a swinging state with no clear
ideology. The country received continuous radical change between the republicans and Robles’
right-wing party, CEDA, leaving the government polarised. Cuba was victim to a corrupt government
which exacerbated their economic inequality. The people’s faith in the government was fragile as
the defeat in Cuba left them disappointed and with low morals.

A fundamental method used by aspiring dictators is military force. Many aspiring leaders started off
in the military themselves, such as Franco, who was a general in the Spanish army. He pursued a
military coup which turned into a 3 year long civil war before finally gaining power. Castro himself
lead a military coup and developed the Guerrilla warfare techniques in the Sierra Maestra against
Batista. Their previous position in the military didn’t only give them insight on militaria systems but
made them more popular with the soldiers themselves. Franco used this to his advantage and
present what Tilly and DeNardo call the Mobilization Theory.

This military power is promoted as a source of strength and stability to the general population by
means of effective propaganda. Being charismatic was a useful skill to have as being able to deliver
speeches and present yourself as one with the people will give you mass support as an aspiring
dictator. Castro declared iconic defence statements at the treason trials which made them well
known, nationwide. He chose the peasantry to be the face of the revolution. However, many took a
different approach, Franco decided to rely on his story of origin and mystique. He hid behind
propaganda, much like Mao from China who created the Little Red Book, which was filled with
quotations and speeches which reinforced his ideas and ideologies.

The broad backing of the population, gained by propaganda, enables the dictator-in-waiting to put
pressure on the political system to obtain full power. Franco’s rivalry to the top were fortunately for
him eliminated both by plane crashes and he was able to gain mass support. This paved a safe road
to the Spanish parliament. While Castro simply overthrew Barista in a military coup and had him

1
Lucy Vindel
killed. They were even able to banish political parties such as the KANU by Jomo Kenyatta, former
president of Kenya.

Ultimately, the condition where aspiring dictators are to thrive is in economic instability or
inequality, so when the state of a nation is so poor that it’s population is willing to do anything to get
back to its original state. As was proven by Hitler in the great depression and Castro due to
international interference, as supported by the Relative Deprivation theory by Davies. The most
successful method presented is the military power. Not only did their position provide them a
following but a way in which they can relate to the proletariat, who were persuaded by their charm
and ideologies due to their social desperation. By also using they military knowledge this aided them
in their successful overthrow of the government.

1
Lucy Vindel