Popular Leaders and the Perils of Unquestioning Support in Democracies

A leader's downfall doesn't always begin after losing an election. Sometimes it starts the day the leader begins to mistake the applause of those around them for the real voice of the people. Questioners drift away, admirers draw closer, and eventually, the leader reaches a stage of mistaking their own echo for public opinion.

The rise and political setbacks of Arvind Kejriwal in India, the ascent and fluctuations of K.P. Sharma Oli in Nepal, and the growing popularity of Balen Shah in Kathmandu are distinct political narratives. It would not be appropriate to compare these three figures on the same scale. However, a common question arises in the rise of all three leaders: What happens in a democracy when a popular leader begins to become bigger than the institution?