puppet leaders
Powerless appointed officials
Puppet leaders are rulers who hold nominal power while actually being controlled by an outside force—typically a foreign government or occupying power.
The term evokes a marionette moved by strings from above: The occupation installed puppet leaders who did whatever they were told.
The phrase implies illegitimacy, suggesting the leader serves external interests rather than those of the people they ostensibly govern.
- marionetteString-controlled theatrical figure
- pulling stringsExercising covert influence
- handsGripping limbs' extremities
- power behind the throneHidden controller of affairs
- figureheadNominal leader, no authority
frontman · yes man · stooge · man of straw · whisperer · proxy · client state · regime change · mask · power imbalance · shadow · mouthpiece · nominal · quisling · wires · stage · script · vassal
puppet leadersabsolute monarchs
Rulers with unconstrained authority
autocrats · strongmen · nationalist leaders · supreme leaders · free agents
puppet leaderspeople's choice
Majority-selected option
elected representatives · revolutionary leaders · grassroots leaders
puppet leaderspuppet masters
Controllers of others' actions
kingmakers · colonial masters · powers behind the throne · power brokers · hegemons
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