Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford cover image

The Rise and Fall of a Megalomaniac

Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford

CHAPTER

Dictators, Germophobia, and Isolationism

This chapter explores the complex interplay between dictators' germophobic tendencies and their desire for cultural purity. It delves into how these fears contribute to their disconnect from the realities of their constituencies and their governance. The discussion also examines the psychological motivations behind authoritarian leaders' isolation, with reflections on real-life figures like Haile Selassie and the political dynamics of both authoritarian and democratic leadership.

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