strongman politics
Rule by dominance
Strongman politics describes a style of governance centered on a dominant leader who projects strength, demands loyalty, and concentrates power in himself rather than institutions.
The strongman typically bypasses democratic norms, attacks opponents as weak or corrupt, and cultivates a cult of personality: The region has a long history of strongman politics.
The term carries critical connotations, suggesting authoritarianism dressed up as decisive leadership.
- authoritarianFavoring absolute control
- one-party ruleGovernance by one faction
- dictatorRuler with total control
- strongholdFortified place of defense
- iron fistBrutal autocratic rule
iron grip · despot · populist · junta · regime · tyrant · man on horseback · cult of personality · personality cult · rubber stamp · loyal opposition · power grab · military · coup · propaganda · state media · rally · nationalist
- populismpopulism, demagogue, demagoguery, anti-elitism, anti-establishment
- far rightfascism, neo-Nazism, neofascism, white supremacy, Nazism
strongman politicsliberal democracy
Rights-based elected governance
parliamentary democracy · constitutional democracy · separation of powers · checks and balances · representative government
strong, strongman, strongmen, stronger, strongest, strongly, strength, strengths, strengthen