Tower and Town, April 2022

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The Danger Of Dictatorships

Imagine. Imagine if our country's leaders ruled without contention. Imagine if the fabric of our society was destroyed. Imagine if the act of free speech was deemed a crime. Whilst we can only imagine this as people who live in a free democracy – this is the harsh reality for the citizens of Russia. I can talk about dictatorships from a privileged position. I am currently 14 years old: I am encouraged to express my views on politics; I am encouraged to challenge and stand up for what I think is right and, in 4 years time, I will be allowed to vote in elections - ones that won't be rigged to suit the current person in power. I am afforded these luxuries by the system of government in this country and for many years I was ignorant of the true value of this. To me, it was just normal. However, during Covid, although it was under unique circumstances, Boris Johnson began passing laws without needing to consult anyone of power. As a UK citizen, this gave me the snapshot of what it feels like to know that significant decisions have been made without any need for consultation from the democratically elected government. This got me thinking about how it truly must feel to be a citizen in countries ruled by dictators, and I came to the swift conclusion: you feel powerless.

For many years Putin and his nefarious collaborators have been doing things without facing sanctions and without challenge. For years, they have been eliminating political opposition. For years, they have oppressed their people. I have studied the horrendous actions of Hitler, and the similarities between him and Putin are deeply harrowing for society. The likeness that Putin demonstrates has cemented one thing in my mind: dictatorships need to be abolished.

In this article I will discuss how Adolf Hitler seized power and the similarities between him and Vladimir Putin. I plan to do this by looking at the symbols, signals and stories these dictators use to sustain their rule.

Symbols
Hitler used symbols such as the Swastika, the SS lightning bolt and the Iron Cross to portray power. He also used these symbols to segregate his superior and inferior races and begin spreading his propaganda. He scapegoated the Jews for Germany’s issues and forced them to wear a yellow Star of David on their clothes. With these symbols at the heart of his actions, he spread propaganda to win the support of millions. An example of this is the Nuremberg rallies in 1933 that spread propaganda, with the symbols embodying his power, that ultimately facilitated war and genocide. He also used military parades to show his power to Europe.

Putin also uses symbols to portray his image as a strong man. He is often seen showing his strength by riding a horse bareback and swimming in the arctic water. Like Hitler, he also loves to be seen at military parades reviewing the troops.

Signals

Hitler used the Nazi (Sieg Heil) salute ever since he set up the Brown Shirts movement. He also wanted his followers to be quintessential examples of the blonde and blue-eyed superior race. He used propaganda to signal his political ambitions in the wider world. He was the first dictator to have a minister for propaganda called Joseph Goebbels who used film and radio to broadcast and spread Hitler’s speeches, which was unprecedented at the time. Hitler was a charismatic, engaging, and brilliant speaker who could whip up a crowd into a frenzy with ease.

Putin is similar in these respects. He holds marathon press conferences and, most recently when announcing his special operation in Ukraine, he sat above his ministers who looked visibly scared to address him. He also uses threats such as how he announced that Russia’s military were ready to use nuclear weapons.

Stories
At the heart of both dictators’ narrative is blaming a perceived inferior group/race for problems. Hitler blamed the Jews for the collapse of the German economy and the hyper-inflation that wiped out the middle class. He also reignited anti-Semitic attitudes within his communities and used propaganda and his public speaking skills to achieve this. Also, after the Treaty of Versailles, when many Germans were outraged about the punishments imposed on them, Hitler blamed the Jews. This was a crucial factor in his rise to power and popularity as his speeches resonated with the embittered Germans during the Great Depression. He gave them a sense of security and he sold them his great dream; and angry patriots supported him.

In the same way, Putin is blaming NATO and western sanctions for the slow growth of the Russian economy. What he says is factually incorrect, but Putin exploits his power to sell the false message to his people who can’t say anything against it. He has also told the Russians that the invasion of Ukraine is to get rid of Nazis in the Ukrainian government. This scapegoating of people can lead to true evil like the final solution in Nazi Germany, and Putin’s bombing of civilian infrastructure and killing thousands of innocent people. Hitler and Putin also banned protests to stop rebellion against them. Putin has imprisoned political opponents and Hitler eradicated political opposition in the Night of the Long Knives.

These symbols, signals and stories show how dangerous and evil dictators can be. Dictatorships enable one sole leader to make decisions without having to get

permission from other people. Putin and Hitler are potent evidence of the danger this form of government presents. These odious, power-hungry people did and continue to do unthinkable and deplorable things. What’s more, the current operation is against the will of most of the Russian people as there are anti-war protests in Russia. The majority deserves the right to make the difference. This is a basic principle of government. Was the death of 7 million innocent people insufficient evidence? Clearly not, as thousands more are dying as I write. Dictatorships are inhuman and need to be abolished for the sake of humanity.

OB