Bending The Rise Of Strong Men Politics

Strong men politics is characterised by its ability to influence decisions, mobilise fans and followers and display thoughtless crowds in the public sphere. Driven by envy, avarice and ambition, they wield enormous power that bypass institutional structures and statutes of political parties, polity and even the state. Strong men cultivate clientele networks and customary legitimacy even if elected by people or cadres, create blind cohorts within the party and control communication and strategy to steer institutional structure, isolate critical elements who oppose them and stay in power by co-opting influential leaders from other parties or applying coercive measures.