The Nature Of Despotism: From Caligula to Mugabe, the Making of Tyrants

by Ambrose, Tom

• ISBN13: 9781847730701
• ISBN10: 1847730701
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2008-10-30
• Publisher: New Holland Pub Ltd

Summary

The tyrants discussed in The Nature of Despotism share common backgrounds, behaviours and motivations that, when viewed together, can be seen as forming the character of the despot. From more predictable origins, such as violent, miserable childhoods, to those that seem more surprising, such as frustrated artistic impulses, each aspect of despotic cause and effect is examined in detail.

Table of Contents

Introduction: Who is the Despot?	p. 9
The Coming of the Despot	p. 15
A Terrible Childhood	p. 29
Murderous Revenge	p. 43
The Imperative of Cruelty	p. 53
The Need for a Support Group	p. 65
Finding a Scapegoat	p. 77
Seducing the Masses	p. 89
Building a Personality Cult	p. 103
The Pursuit of a Big Idea	p. 123
A Pretension to Culture	p. 141
The Enlightened Despot	p. 153
The Promise of Efficiency	p. 167
Despotic Groups	p. 179
Are Despots Mad?	p. 191
The Future	p. 205
Exceptions That Prove the Rule	p. 215
Bibliography	p. 218
Timeline	p. 223
Acknowledgements and Picture Credits	p. 224
Index	p. 225
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