Democracy, the ultimate antidote to Autocracy

Where an autocrat may cruelly crush dissent and political opposition, a strong leader patiently allows peaceful protests, however long-running, unjustified, and disruptive, and accepts criticism.

- LAKSHMI PURI

Rajiv Dogra's latest book, "Autocrats: Charisma, Power, and their Lives" defies categorisation. It is a marvellous and insightful streamof-consciousness treatise on leadership and systems of governance. It is also a fascinating foray into the human psyche, the eccentricities, egoistic urges, and grand designs of autocrats across world history. It makes you rethink your political and historical premises and interrogate narratives about leaders and governance and who an autocrat-or worse, a dictator is and who is not, as well as the cost-benefits of an autocratic against a democratic system.

Surveys like that from the Pew Research Centre in 2017 show that people in 70% of countries prefer strong leaders. In bona fide democracies, separating the chaff of dictatorial tendencies from the kernel of strong, effective, and visionary leadership is a must-this book helps us do that. Where an autocrat may manipulate elections, a strong leader is popularly elected in free and fair elections, is subject to the checks and balances of legislature and judiciary; where an autocrat rules by fiat, a strong leader governs by consent, delegating decision-making, listening to people, and willing to take back unpopular legislation.

Where an autocrat may cruelly crush dissent and political opposition, a strong leader patiently allows peaceful protests-however long-running, unjustified, and disruptive-and accepts criticism. Strong leaders are competent and seek discipline in public life but abide by democratic processes; for them, power is a means to serve public good. Rather than personal aggrandizement or enrichment, the sole dictum of their governance is inclusive and participatory development of all, by all, and for all, leaving no one behind. They rise from the people, know their pulse and mix with them freely.