The world order once more is plagued by the rise of strongman rulers. Some gained power and control through lawful means. Others emerged by force, intimidation and sham elections. Their regimes are a growing menace to America, to the West and to democratic institutions by which they govern.
Following the Allies’ victory in World War II, modern life became free of them: the tyrants, dictators and despots responsible for mass murder, unprovoked warfare, and the enormous destruction of property. Hitler, Stalin, Mao, Mussolini, Tito, Tojo and others left behind destroyed cities, deep deprivations and a suffering humanity.
Thereafter, for a period unique in history civilization advanced. Absent worldwide wars, markets and economies grew and expanded. As the wealth of nations appreciated, poverty receded. The 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis lessened the nuclear threat. And, when the Cold War ended in 1991, upon collapse of the Communist Party in Russia, further peace and relief were enjoyed America was among the beneficiaries. At turn of the century, reports The Economist,
America was mightier than all her enemies and friends put together.
Other improvements appeared. Commentator, Gideon Rachman, states in The Age of the Strongman that across the globe in 1945 there were only 12 democratic states. By 2002 that number has grown to 92. For the first time, adds Rachman, democratic states outnumbered the “autocracies” (nations with leaders of unlimited power).
Then, starting in 2012, there were two fateful developments. In China, Xi Jinping became ruler for life, followed soon by Vladimir Putin’s election in Russia. The atmosphere began changing. The entrenchment of these two autocrats is credited with encouraging others, including: Erdogan of Turkey, Poland’s Kaczynski, Bolsonaro and Amlo in Latin America, Diaz-Canel of Cuba, Lukashenko of Belarus, Maduro of Venezuela, to say nothing of Mullahs of Iran, even Modi of India— and numerous lesser lights.
The rulers are not identical, but as Rachman points out, they have similarities. He describes how they promote a cult of personality; they display contempt for the rule of law; all claim to represent the people versus the elites and upper crust. And, all induce fear.
President Putin, himself, is said to have no political ideology, no party, and no politics. However, his regime exemplifies methods increasingly common among the autocracies: Political agitation and free speech are suppressed; The regime’s opponents are arrested, imprisoned, even murdered.
The strongmen often rely upon a ring of oligarchs (rich men with political influence) who manipulate the country’s financial structures— typically while enriching themselves. In addition. they utilize media technicians trained in surveillance, propaganda and disinformation.
A closer description of the autocratic state is found in Anne Applebaum’s informative book, Autocracy, Inc. She maintains the driving forces at work in autocratic regimes are two: The rulers’ accumulation of wealth and their naked determination to remain in power. Vladimir Putin is believed to have accumulated $40 billion for himself. As for Vladimir Putin? His long-term goals are unmistakable. He seeks to undermine NATO and its trans-Atlantic security guarantees; to divide the West; to weaken consumerconsumed America.
To greater and lesser extent, other strongmen adopt salient features of Russia’s poisonous propaganda, to wit: the degeneracy of democracy, its instabilities and the evil of the United States.
How the West, the U.S in particular, has and will respond to these ominous trends is yet to be firmly established. Although the President appears headed in the right direction. For certain— military strength, skillful diplomacy and the determination to preserve human freedom— are all called for, whatever the cost.
Sources: Autocracy, Inc, A. Applebaum; The Age of the Strongman, G. Rachman; The Man Without A Face: Unlikely Rise of Vladimir Putin, M. Gessen; The Economist, Oct.4, 2025, p 11.
Retired attorney Jim Thomas lives in Atlanta. Email jmtlawyerspeak@ yahoo. com
