Frank Dikötter

Frank Dikotter, a historian and author renowned for his work on 20th-century dictatorships, dives into the striking characteristics of dictators. He discusses how authoritarian regimes often emerge from democratic contexts and explores the psychology behind their cult-like followings. From Mengistu's brutal rise in Ethiopia to Kim Il-sung's power consolidation in North Korea, Dikotter unveils the paradox of oppressive rule cloaked in the guise of democracy. The conversation also highlights the fragility of dictatorships and the contrasting lives under authoritarian regimes versus democratic societies.