Asking AI about democracy and the future (14/18): ChatGPT’s answer (3/7)

Why Democracy Still Matters: Hope in a Time of Crisis (3/7)

 

Part 3: The Tyranny of the Strong — Power and the Fragile Soul

 

Why do people surrender freedom for strong leaders? Why do authoritarian figures rise in moments of social fear, promising order, pride, and control? Beneath the political explanation lies something more personal—something within the human soul.

 

The Lure of the Dominant Leader

 

In times of chaos, many crave certainty. A figure who speaks with conviction and promises to "take care of everything" can be profoundly attractive. Especially when institutions feel broken and the future seems unclear, the strongman appears not as a threat but as a solution.

This is not new. History is full of such figures—emperors, warlords, dictators—who rise by exploiting fear and offering belonging. They promise restoration: of greatness, of order, of purity. And they demand loyalty in return.

 

Power and the Fragile Soul

 

But why do we listen? Why do some cheer as freedoms are stripped away?

One answer lies in the fragility of the human soul. When people feel unseen, unheard, or ashamed, they become vulnerable to domination—not because they want to dominate, but because they long to be protected, to matter. The authoritarian leader seems to offer strength they lack in themselves.

At the root of this is insecurity: about identity, worth, and the complexity of life. The more fragile we feel inside, the more we project strength outside. We blame. We demand purity. We shrink from the responsibility of freedom because it feels too heavy to bear.

Paradoxically, the cult of strength often grows from a place of inner weakness. It is a defense against vulnerability. But democracy requires something else: the courage to be vulnerable, to listen, to share power rather than hoard it.

 

The Seduction of Control

 

Authoritarianism seduces not only the leaders but also the followers. It offers a simple story: us vs. them, truth vs. lies, order vs. chaos. In this story, there’s no need to wrestle with nuance, to listen to opponents, or to grow.

But democracy is not built on simplicity. It is built on trust and patience—on institutions that outlast any one person, and on citizens who believe that strength lies not in domination but in cooperation.

 

Historical Vignette: Weimar Germany and the Rise of Hitler

 

Consider Germany in the 1920s. The Weimar Republic was young, democratic, and deeply fragile. After the trauma of World War I and the humiliation of the Treaty of Versailles,[1] many Germans felt disoriented and resentful. Hyperinflation ravaged the economy. National identity was in crisis.

In this context, Adolf Hitler rose to power not simply by seizing it, but by offering a vision. He blamed enemies within and without. He promised to restore German pride, order, and greatness. Many embraced him—not just out of hatred, but out of fear and longing. The result was catastrophe.

 

The lesson is chilling: authoritarianism does not need brute force alone. It feeds on emotional wounds. It thrives where dignity is lacking, and where democratic institutions fail to cultivate hope, justice, and shared purpose.

To preserve democracy, we must look not only at the systems of power but at the fears and longings that empower them. In the next part of this series, we’ll examine how a culture obsessed with wealth and success undermines the values that make democratic life possible.

 

Footnote

[1] The Treaty of Versailles was the agreement that officially ended World War I, signed on June 28, 1919, in the Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles. It imposed harsh penalties on Germany, including territorial losses, military restrictions, and significant financial reparations. Google AI Overview, viewed on June 20, 2025.