Journalists like myself frequently concentrate on the leaders of nations. This makes sense as they set agendas and must be held accountable. However, it is the individuals beneath them who implement these agendas. In autocratic systems, tasks can include intimidation or even torture, sparking questions about why someone would take on such a role.
My colleague Amanda Taub recently explored fascinating research that provides a surprising explanation.
Argentine security forces in 1982, Buenos Aires. Credit: Horacio Villalobos/Corbis, via Getty Images
The Role of Mediocre Employees in Autocracies
No autocrat, no matter how skilled, governs in isolation. For example, Vladimir Putin relies on his faithful Russian oligarchs. Iran has its Revolutionary Guards. Viktor Orban has constructed Hungary’s ‘electoral autocracy’ with contributions from judges, enforcers, and tycoons.
The exploration into the reliance on ordinary employees reveals insights into how autocratic governments sustain power through seemingly average individuals.