Democracy with a King who wins every election

Illustration by Gemini AI

What’s common to Donald J Trump, Narendra D Modi, Vladimir V Putin, Kim Jong Un, Xi Jinping, and Benjamin Netanyahu? They are all democratically elected autocrats, though the nature of democracy varies from country to country. Since America doesn’t permit more than two terms for a President, Trump will have to quit at the end of his present term. All others are likely to continue to cling to their positions till the end of their respective term on earth.

That is one central feature of autocracy: projection of an image of being the “indispensable leader” or the sole Messiah of the nation. This is done typically by involving a mob of supporters who use violence to intimidate opponents like journalists, whistle-blowers, and critics. Hitler and Mussolini employed this method very effectively. Our present-day autocrats too do the same.

With the help of these supporters, the autocrats will get whatever they want including votes. Democracy is rendered absolutely meaningless by them in every possible way. Even the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of democracy are rendered effete. The ‘leader’ has final authority over everything. Independent institutions (including the supreme court and election commission) are either dismantled or brought under direct control. But elections will be held punctually. That’s a necessary comedy.

Xi Jinping was the only candidate in the 2023 elections in China in which he received 2952 votes to zero. In 2028, he will again be elected democratically without any opponent. Opponents don’t exist, can’t exist. Democracy? Yes!

In India, there will be opponents. But no use. That is a better way than in China. Render the opposition impotent. Use whatever strategy you want – from propaganda to imprisonment. From attacks on the media to weakening of local governments. Even the party system is not spared. Nobody is spared, in fact.

The autocrat is always above his own party too. Above everything, in fact. Modi named the world’s largest cricket stadium after himself. And then he got his followers to build temples for himself. He is the presiding deity in many a temple in North India now. Recently he announced his own nonbiological origin too!

Donald Trump behaves like a god who can overthrow the government of any country with impunity or ask other countries to behave as he wants. Even India requires Trump’s “permission” to buy petroleum from certain countries, though Modi claims he is a divine avatar. Kim Jong Un is a divine successor of the Paektu Bloodline and his teachings are considered infallible. The Chinese universities teach Xi’s philosophy as something as sacred as religious creeds. The Russian Orthodox Church projects Putin as a providential leader chosen by God to restore Russia’s greatness.

In short, we are all blessed with divine incarnations as our leaders.

Just a few hours back, Malayalam news channels reported that a man was arrested for implying in a Facebook comment that Modi was a “traitor.” Many people have lost their lives in India and elsewhere for much lesser acts of daring vis-à-vis their incarnated Messiahs.

PS. This is the second in a series of posts on related themes. As mentioned in the last post, this series is inspired by a book I’m currently reading.

PPS. There will be no post tomorrow due to a personal engagement.