The Psychology of Autocracy"-tracing the Possibility of Origin of Dictatorship in Democracy

Abstract

Once established and run on the basis of democratic values for a substantial time period, a sudden shift in the collective mindset of such a society resulting in the choice of dictatorship is seldom heard of. In spite of that, such societies can always take a seemingly controlled risk of making an illogical choice, in choosing a self-styled autocrat. Complacency in the face of subjugation is a dangerous trend for a society that dons the mantle of democracy. The psychology of this reaction pattern of the common mass is called "learned helplessness" resulting in "identification with the aggressor(read dictator/autocrat). The dictator is not an "avtar". He/she is just an ordinary human being like anybody else. He/she symbolizes the covert sickness of the society as a whole. It would serve the democracy better if callous and non-empathetic politicians pick up the signs of social warning and act sincerely and logically to uphold the ideals and values, that the founding fathers of "democracy" envisaged.