How cult leadership can derail democracies

Humans have a natural inclination toward hero-worship, often seen in the admiration of sports stars and actors, which is deeply ingrained in our culture. However, this tendency becomes dangerous when people start idolizing unethical leaders, leading to the rise of a cult of personality. This phenomenon is not limited to autocratic regimes but is increasingly affecting democracies.

Today, the cult of personality flourishes as individuals place their trust in “great men” with absolute power to solve significant social and economic issues. For instance, China’s President Xi Jinping and Russia’s President Vladimir Putin have positioned themselves as “Presidents for Life.” Their regimes employ compliant propaganda machinery to create an aura of invincibility, fostering a culture of hero-worship. In Pakistan, a similar trend can be observed with Imran Khan.

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Whether a democracy is capitalistic or socialistic, it requires an environment that promotes freedom of opinion and dissent. For democracy to function effectively, its supporters must actively engage in the political process, focusing on policies and issues rather than the hype surrounding charismatic leaders. Informed and critical supporters can help curb the self-importance, egotism, and aggression that leaders might develop from excessive admiration. Encouraging leaders to critically assess their own competencies and achievements can better serve democratic principles.

Conversely, blind obedience poses a significant threat to democracy. The cost of maintaining vain leaders can lead to national divisions, incite violent behavior among followers, and undermine freedom and justice. It is crucial to distinguish between political parties and political cults. Political parties operate based on manifestos, whereas political cults elevate their leaders to a god-like status, thriving on hatred towards other parties deemed irredeemably corrupt.

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Dr Rashid Wali Janjua, in his op-ed published in July 2023, quoted from a book by Dr. Steven Hassan, “The Cult of Trump,” who explains how cult leaders like Trump use mind control techniques such as ‘BITE’ (Behavior, Information, Thought, and Emotional control) to exert hypnotic influence over their followers, affecting even the educated and rational segments of society.

It is the people, supporters of parties who must constantly access, evaluate & question their leaders to ensure they stay on the correct path.

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The writer is a lawyer, academic and political analyst. She has authored a book titled ‘A Comparative Analysis of Media & Media Laws in Pakistan.’ She can be contacted at: yasmeenali62@gmail.com and tweets at @yasmeen_9

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