Journalists often focus on the leaders of countries, as they set the agenda and need to be held accountable. However, the individuals who execute that agenda are equally important. In autocratic regimes, executing state tasks might involve activities like intimidation or even torture. This raises questions about why people choose to become what might be considered sinister bureaucrats.
Amanda Taub highlights some intriguing research that provides a surprising answer to this question. In autocracies, even the most skilled autocrats cannot rule on their own. Vladimir Putin relies on loyal Russian oligarchs, while Iran is supported by the Revolutionary Guards. Viktor Orban’s “electoral autocracy” in Hungary thrives with the assistance of a few judges, enforcers, and tycoons. These individuals form the engines of such regimes, but rather than being exceptional, they often consist of mediocre employees.
The concept that mediocre employees serve as the foundation of autocracies challenges the notion that only extremely skilled or talented individuals are needed for such a role. Instead, these regimes thrive on loyalty and a willingness to follow orders, rather than individual excellence.
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