The Strongman Myth: Why People Still Worship Authoritarian Leaders
Across cultures and centuries, a familiar figure reappears in times of fear and upheaval: the strongman. He is presented as the savior, the one person tough enough, ruthless enough, and decisive enough to cut through the chaos and “fix it.”
Even today, in an age of democracy and global interconnection, this myth still holds power. The question is: why?
The psychology of fear.
When societies feel threatened — by war, economic collapse, or cultural change — people often long for certainty. A strongman promises simple answers and decisive action, even if those promises are unrealistic. Fear makes complexity unbearable; the strongman offers the illusion of clarity.
The father figure archetype.
The strongman myth taps into deep symbolic roles. He is often cast as the stern father who can restore discipline, punish enemies, and protect “the family.” This imagery resonates across traditions, where authority has long been associated with masculine power and control.
The comfort of masculinity.
The phrase “a real man” still carries cultural weight. Many equate strength with masculinity, and masculinity with leadership. Authoritarian figures embody exaggerated versions of toughness, aggression, and dominance — qualities that some see as necessary for survival in uncertain times.
The cost of worship.
The strongman myth, however, comes at a price. Authoritarian leadership often silences dissent, weakens institutions, and replaces shared responsibility with blind loyalty. What begins as the promise of safety can end in repression and stagnation.
Breaking the spell.
The antidote to the strongman myth is not weakness, but a different vision of strength. True strength lies in cooperation, accountability, and the courage to embrace complexity rather than flee from it. Leadership rooted in compassion and shared responsibility may lack the drama of the strongman — but it is far more sustainable.
The strongman myth persists because it appeals to timeless fears and desires. But myths can evolve, and perhaps the next story we tell about leadership won’t be about domination at all, but about the strength it takes to build together.