By TedEd
Examine the myth of the benevolent dictator, which is a leader who holds absolute power yet only uses it for the common good.
Under certain conditions, the idea of a dictator can sound appealing, like when a democracy isn’t functioning as it should due to corruption or political polarization. People may believe the solution is a “benevolent dictator”— a leader who only uses their absolute power for the common good.
But can such a leader actually exist in today’s world? Stephanie Honchell Smith examines this common myth. Watch video below:
