The document outlines the definition and characteristics of a dictatorship, emphasizing the role of a dictator who wields unchecked power, often through repression and creating a cult of personality. It highlights examples such as Nicolae Ceaușescu in Romania, detailing how media and propaganda were employed to glorify his image. The impact of such a regime on public perception and the suppression of dissent is also discussed.

1. THE DICTATORSHIP
The Dictatorship is the opposite of Democracy.
A dictatorship is defined as an autocratic form of government in which
the government is ruled by an individual: a dictator.
MUSSOLINI
HITLER
STALIN CEAUSESCU
KIM IR SEN

2. WHAT IS A DICTATOR?
• A dictator is a leader who holds and
abuses an extraordinary power.
• A dictator has the power to make laws
without restraint by a legislative
assembly, for his own interest.
• Dictatorships are often characterised
by some of the following:
– suspension of elections and
of civil liberties
– proclamation of a state
of emergency
– rule by decree
– repression of political opponents
without abiding by rule of law
procedures
– ruling a single-party state
– creating a cult of personality
ROBERT MUGABE

3. • A cult of personality arises when an
individual uses mass media,
propaganda, or other methods, to
create an image
- idealized
- heroic
- god-like
• This was created often through
unquestioning flattery and praise.
• A cult of personality is similar to
hero worship, except that it is
established by mass media and
propaganda.
THE CULT OF PERSONALITY

4. CEAUSESCU AND THE COMMUNIST ROMANIA
• Early seeds of the cult of
personality can be found in
the acclamation of Ceau-
sescu following his speech in
which he denounced the
Warsaw Pact invasion of
Czechoslovakia in 1968.
• From that date, there was
an increasing identification
of Romania with Ceaușescu
in both the Romanian media
and in the statements
of other officials.

5. THE DICTATOR TITLES
“The Belowed President of the Republic, Head of State and Head of
the Armed Forces, Secretary of the Communist Party,
Chairman of the Supreme Council for Economic and Social
Development, President of the National Council of Working People,
and Chairman of the Socialist Democracy and Unity Front”.

6. THE GLORIFICATION
From early years, schoolchildren learnt poems and songs
in which the "party, the leader and the nation" are praised.
The purpose of the cult was to make any public opposition
to Ceaușescu impossible, as he was considered by definition
infallible and above any criticism.

7. MEDIA PORTRAYALS
The media used the following expressions:
"golden era of Ceaușescu“
"guarantor of the nation's progress“
"visionary architect of the nation's future".
List of epithets about Ceaușescu used by Romanian writers:
'architect', 'celestial body', 'demiurge', 'genius', 'secular god',
'miracle', 'morning star', 'navigator', 'Prince Charming', 'saint',
'saviour', 'sun', 'titan' and 'visionary‘.

8. PUBLIC IMAGE
Not surprisingly, the Ceaușescu’s was greatly concerned about their
public image. Most ot the photos showed them in their late 40’s.
Romanian state television was under strict orders to portray them in
the best possible light. For instance, producers had to take great care
to ensure that Ceaușescu's height (1.65m) was never emphasized.
Elena was never seen in profile because of her large nose and overall
homely appearance. Consequences for breaking these rules were
severe; one producer showed footage of Ceaușescu blinking and
stuttering, and was banned for three months.

9. Just for one day, imagine you live in
dictatorship, in Romania.
Describe the kind of life you will have?
IMAGINE YOU LIVE IN A DICTATORSHIP