We grow up learning that history's most ruthless dictators were ironclad tyrants, devoid of human weakness. These were men who commanded armies, ordered executions without flinching, and held entire ...

For the second day in a row, President Donald Trump has felt the need to assure Americans that, no, he is not a dictator. “I’m not a dictator. I just know how to stop crime,” he said at an hourslong ...

In Kenya’s vibrant forums and heated discussions, a troubling sentiment emerges; the yearning for a benevolent dictator to vanquish corruption, underdevelopment, and injustice. I contend that this is ...

I have heard people say, “What we need is a dictator to fix things,” and then quickly add “a benevolent dictator.” The problem with that idea is that “benevolent” is in the eye of the beholder and ...

The only benevolent dictator I know of is Singapore's Lee Kuan Yew. He seemed really, truly focused on the good of the people. But corporal punishment was a big part of his transformation strategy, ...

There is a reason why democracies almost always die to thunderous applause, and it’s because dictators offer something democracy never has: speed. They have a single voice, a steady hand, and offer an ...

A version of this story appeared in CNN’s What Matters newsletter. To get it in your inbox, sign up for free here. For the second day in a row, President Donald Trump has felt the need to assure ...