08-03-2003, 11:07 PM
(This post was last modified: 08-03-2003, 11:12 PM by Occhidiangela.)
Please compare and contrast, in re the Cult of Personality, a few points.
IIRC, it originates from Nikita Kruschev, who used it to describe the method by which Stalin stayed in power. And, as I recall, he too was charged with that by Kosygen.
It is the model of the typical autocrat/strongman. Noteworthy leaders who could have developed one and set aside the opportunity? Geo Washington, for one.
Dame Thatcher and Ronald Reagan were indeed powerful personalities and effective political leaders, as was FDR, but they were not held above the normal political process. They could be unelected, as in Thatcher's case, or be subject to term limits, as in Reagan's. Such is not the style of the autocrat, from whence the term comes.
Someone who exploits and furthers their own Cult of Personality, such as Castro or for that matter General Franco, is cut from a very different kettle of fish. In short, your comparison to how The West works is misinformed.
FDR's long run deserves a look, as he was a pre term limits leader. HIs leadership, charisma, and effective use of the tools at hand were noteworthy. We will never know how long he would have served, so we don't know if he could have ever been beaten.
By the same token, Helmut Kohl was very successful, but I would not accuse him of building or developing a Cult of Personality, and in any case, he like Dame Thatcher stepped down when the votes went the other way. Beintg humble enough to accept the boundary of the law is a key discriminator in the systems you are trying to compare.
One can consider as examples of the "second order" creation of a Personality Cult the efforts of Lizzie Custer or Jackie Kennedy/Onasis to preserve and trumpet as "gilded" the reputations of their famous husbands.
IIRC, it originates from Nikita Kruschev, who used it to describe the method by which Stalin stayed in power. And, as I recall, he too was charged with that by Kosygen.
It is the model of the typical autocrat/strongman. Noteworthy leaders who could have developed one and set aside the opportunity? Geo Washington, for one.
Dame Thatcher and Ronald Reagan were indeed powerful personalities and effective political leaders, as was FDR, but they were not held above the normal political process. They could be unelected, as in Thatcher's case, or be subject to term limits, as in Reagan's. Such is not the style of the autocrat, from whence the term comes.
Someone who exploits and furthers their own Cult of Personality, such as Castro or for that matter General Franco, is cut from a very different kettle of fish. In short, your comparison to how The West works is misinformed.
FDR's long run deserves a look, as he was a pre term limits leader. HIs leadership, charisma, and effective use of the tools at hand were noteworthy. We will never know how long he would have served, so we don't know if he could have ever been beaten.
By the same token, Helmut Kohl was very successful, but I would not accuse him of building or developing a Cult of Personality, and in any case, he like Dame Thatcher stepped down when the votes went the other way. Beintg humble enough to accept the boundary of the law is a key discriminator in the systems you are trying to compare.
One can consider as examples of the "second order" creation of a Personality Cult the efforts of Lizzie Custer or Jackie Kennedy/Onasis to preserve and trumpet as "gilded" the reputations of their famous husbands.
Cry 'Havoc' and let slip the Men 'O War!
In War, the outcome is never final. --Carl von Clausewitz--
Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum
John 11:35 - consider why.
In Memory of Pete
In War, the outcome is never final. --Carl von Clausewitz--
Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum
John 11:35 - consider why.
In Memory of Pete